The Veterinarian Magazine February 2022

TheVeterinarian ■ January/February 2022

■ www.theveterinarian.com.au

Sudden death at Taronga Zoo Australia

Day Honours announced

Picture Taronga Zoo

A female pygmy hippo calf has died suddenly at Taronga, the zoo announced.

Nicknamed the “little watermelon on legs”, the calf was born in November and quickly became a popular attraction at the zoo.

The calf was found unresponsive on Christmas Eve, and shortly afterwards she was confirmed to have died.

In a statement posting to social media, a zoo spokesperson said preliminary veterinary findings indicated heart problems and that further investigations are in progress.

There were no signs of misadventure or trauma.

“Keepers have naturally been keeping a close eye on mum Kambiri and dad Fergus who are in good health and appear to be calm and relaxed,” the spokesperson said.

“While she was yet to be publicly named, for those in our community who helped to select a name, she would have been known as Amara – meaning filled with beauty and grace.”

The spokesperson described the hippo’s death as “heartbreaking for all those who knew and cared for her.”

Veterinarians were among those recognised in the 2022 Australia Day Honours list.

Robert Johnson was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to veterinary science and professional societies.

A former AVA president, Johnson AM is chair of the NSW Department of Primary Industries Stock Welfare Panel, and is director of Vets Beyond Borders, a charity engaged in international welfare projects.

Johnson AM’s work in zoo and wildlife medicine is also lauded.

Arthur Charles Webster received the same honour for significant services to veterinary science, business and the tertiary education sector.

Webster is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Sydney and has undertaken aid projects around the world.

He was key in the development of the canine parvovirus vaccine, and has made major contributions to the health of Australian farm animal and poultry sectors.

■ SAM WORRAD Robert Johnson

■ SAM WORRAD

New program to help prevent emerging wildlife diseases The current COVID-19 pandemic is the latest example of a zoonotic disease present in wildlife that has crossed into humans and proved it can be deadly. According to Wildlife Health Australia there are an estimated 1.7 million undiscovered viruses in mammal and bird hosts which have the potential to evolve into different variants and pose a threat for humans, other animals, and ecosystems. To help identify, prevent and mitigate the risks and impacts of emerging diseases in wildlife and humans, a four-year federally funded program was launched in early January. It will be led by WHA, the coordinating body for wildlife health in Australia whose principal objectives are the protection and enhancement of the natural environment, and the creation of a long-term sustainable wildlife health framework. The organisation also has a strong One Health focus that recognises the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health.

Announcing the program David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture, said the $8.4 million initiative was aimed at bolstering Australia’s wildlife health and disease surveillance and management capabilities.

“COVID-19 has brought into sharp focus the importance of recognising and managing emerging zoonotic disease risks which can originate from wildlife,” he said.

Rupert Woods, WHA’s CEO said strengthening the national health framework, including the surveillance at the human-livestock-wildlife interface, was key to provide early warning of emerging disease risks. The protection of native wildlife and ecosystems was also critical to pandemic prevention as climate change and changes in land use put further pressures on wildlife and the environment.

“This significant new program will help us to better identify the underlying causes of wildlife health events, determine their relevance to human,

animal and/or environmental health and inform immediate or long-term action. The program will also enable WHA to further expand and establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and feral animal disease experts,” Woods said.

The program will also support expert contribution into the development and review of human health, conservation and agricultural guidelines, standards, and policies - both in Australia and overseas - to ensure wildlife health and the drivers of disease emergence are considered.

The program will seek to establish WHA as an official World Organisation for Animal Health Collaborating Centre on Wildlife Health for Australia and the Pacific.

CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness will be a key partner in delivering the initiative.

■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT

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News

WSAVA offers free DEI webinar The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) will host a free webinar to explore the benefits of achieving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the veterinary workplace.

As veterinary professionals around the world face increased pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic on top of already challenging working conditions and staff shortages, retaining and motivating staff and enabling them to work at maximum effectiveness is key to the success of a veterinary clinic or business.

DEI supports the representation and participation of diverse groups of people, including those of different genders, races and ethnicities, religions, cultures, backgrounds, ages and sexual orientation. It also includes people with disabilities, including so-called ‘hidden disabilities’, which can include autism, chronic pain

Nienke Endenburg

and learning difficulties, as well as mental health conditions.

During the webinar, speakers will discuss the importance of ‘belonging’ and the role ‘workplace belonging’ plays in improving business or practice performance. They will then explore how organizations can enhance the performance of their staff by recognizing and embracing their differences – both seen and unseen. They will also recommend practical steps that can be taken in veterinary businesses to ensure the creation of a DEI workplace.

The Chair of the WSAVA’s Professional Wellness Group (PWG), clinical psychologist Nienke Endenburg, will present during the webinar. Endenburg teaches veterinary students at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands how to manage their own wellness during vet school and beyond.

She will be joined by PWG member Debbie Stoewen. Canadabased Stoewen is qualified both as a veterinarian and a social worker and has developed an evidencebased veterinary continuing education program called The Social Side of Practice, which covers areas including veterinary wellness, communication, teamwork, organizational culture, and leadership.

The webinar will be moderated

by PWG member Elli Kalemtzaki, a veterinarian and Certified Professional Coach, who helps veterinary practitioners market their services, inspire their teams, and engage with customers.

“Cultivating a culture of belonging in the workplace is a journey, not a destination. To page 30

Omicron pressures the vet industry The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is calling on state and territory governments to recognise that all veterinary services are being highly impacted and implement the National Cabinet guidelines, so veterinary teams have the flexibility to manage close contacts to ensure veterinary services can continue to be delivered.

“Veterinarians are highly trained in infection control; they understand emergency disease responses and are able to manage infection risk. They are well positioned to be able to manage the risk associated with asymptomatic close contacts of COVID-19,” Cristy Secombe, AVA Head of Veterinary and Public Affairs, said.

The AVA surveyed the veterinary profession to understand the impact of the pandemic on animal care across Australia. 23 per cent of respondents indicated that the welfare of animals had been significantly negatively affected

by COVID-19 restrictions over the past four weeks, with a further 47 per cent stating it had been somewhat affected.

In states most affected by the omicron variant, 87 per cent of veterinary practices have experienced staff shortages due to COVID-19 with 25 per cent having had to temporarily close as a result, and a further 31 per cent having to reduce opening hours. This is making it increasingly difficult for owners to obtain appointments for their pets and has placed vet-

Cristy Secombe

erinary staff under incredible stress.

An average of 14 per cent of veterinary teams are quarantining due to COVID infection. However, an average of 26 per cent are quarantining as close contacts and could return to work to care for pets under the current national cabinet guidelines.

“To allow veterinarians to provide veterinary care for all animals including pets we implore state governments to urgently modify public health orders and reflect the guidance provided by national cabinet in recognition that all veterinary services are highly impacted.

COVID 19 has worsened the pre-existing skills shortage within the veterinary profession and it’s now getting to the point that some small animal emergencies cannot be treated,” Secombe said.

Laws failing unfit livestock, veterinarians say Federal government veterinarians have alleged that injured animals are being transported to Australian slaughterhouses, despite laws intended to protect unfit livestock.

Reports acquired by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age claim that some sheep and cattle arriving at Victorian export abattoirs are incapable of supporting their own weight, with some dying in transit and others requiring euthanasia on arrival.

The reports date from March to August 2019, and several distressing incidents are alleged.

These include numerous dog bite injuries to sheep at the South

www.theveterinarian.com.au

Australian government’s agricultural research centre, and 14 injured sheep which were badly mishandled on the way to a Victorian abattoir.

Of the latter incident, the Herald reported claims four of the sheep were seen piled on top of each other at the base of the unloading station, with another five on the floor of the unloading area noted to be in a “moribund and debilitated state”.

An on-plant vet was ultimately called in to euthanise all the animals, except for one which had already died.

The disturbing reports follow the publication of the RSPCA’s regulatory scorecard for Australian slaughtering establishments, which exposes gaps in regulatory systems across states and territories.

Published in May 2021, Animal welfare in abattoirs, poultry processors and knackeries – regulatory scorecard found facilities in New South Wales and South Australia to have the highest welfare standards across the industry.

The report also noted “little to no transparency” around welfare standards and auditing of slaughtering establishments “especially in domestic abattoirs and knackeries,”

and decried the lack of public reporting of outcomes of investigations into cruelty and poor practices.

“These problems exist at a time of increasing public concern about livestock production, transport and slaughter, and the regular publication of footage of poor practice at Australian abattoirs, poultry processors and knackeries,” the report said.

Export-registered abattoirs and poultry processors are regulated by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) and require the daily presence of an on-plant veterinarian and are subject to regular auditing.

However domestic abattoirs and knackeries operate under varying state and territory authority and generally do not require on-plant veterinarians, with the onus of reporting welfare concerns often falling to employees and members of the public.

First among the RSPCA report’s recommendations is the development of a national standard for livestock processors, applicable to cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, deer, buffalo, camels, alpaca, donkeys, and poultry to replace the current, largely voluntary Model Code.

The welfare organisation is also calling for species-specific standards for all points of processing until confirmation of death, to be updated every five years to reflect technical and scientific advancements.

RSPCA Scientific Officer and former on-plant veterinarian Sarah Babington told The Veterinarian inconsistency between state and territory jurisdictions is a major hurdle for the industry.

“This is especially difficult when we have animals being transported between jurisdictions and different levels of regulation, and there are a lot of holes depending on where the animal is being slaughtered and transported from,” she said.

“There is a lack of transparency as to how many incidents are occurring on plants, if the states and territories are investigating, the nature of the actions and outcomes.”

Babington added that there needs to be clarity as to which breaches are being reported, how they are followed up, and how the industry improves following incidents.

“At the moment we don’t even know where we’re starting, so it's very unclear,” she said.

■ SAM WORRAD JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 TheVeterinarian 3

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News

RSPCA again urges an end to live exports Regulations for live sheep exports that take place during the northern hemisphere summer are currently under review by the federal government, with a final report expected during the first quarter of 2022.

Regulations were introduced after scenes from the Awassi Express were shown on television in 2018, but RSPCA CEO Richard Mussell warned if they are reduced tens of thousands more Australian sheep could be exported in extreme heat to, and through, several Middle East destinations. This would present an ‘unacceptable risk’ to animals known to be vulnerable to heat stress. Currently the northern summer prohibition spans from June 1 to September 14.

“Live export should be phased out altogether, but at the very least the prohibition needs to be extended from May 1 to October 31 to cover the hottest parts of the year. Sheep suffer on board live export vessels, but we know they especially suffer during voyages to, and through, the Middle East during the hot northern summer due to the substantial risk of heat stress,” he said.

Mussell fears the government is proposing to further reduce the prohibition period, and to step back from its prior commitment to improve animal welfare in the sector despite the science,

Awassi Express

a lack of robust data, and evidence that shows the climate is widely predicted to become hotter, more intense, and more variable.

“Australians were outraged at the horror shown on their TV screens, and it’s because of the significant public pressure on the federal government that we saw a northern summer prohibition finally put in place. The RSPCA calls on the government to not reduce this prohibition,

and instead extend the period and work towards an end to live sheep export altogether,” he said.

Details of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s draft report are available at haveyoursay.awe.gov.au/nhs-prohi bition-review together with details on how to make a submission.

■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT

Welfare charity Hidden costs associated with appoints CEO the illegal wildlife trade Trish Ennis

Animal welfare charity Companion Animal Network Australia (Australia CAN, formerly Animal Welfare League Australia) has appointed its first Chief Executive Officer, Trish Ennis, in its mission to support the human-animal bond and an estimated 30.4 million pets and their owners across Australia.

“Australia CAN has developed considerably with a range of strategies aiming to honour and strengthen the human-animal bond, and it was time to make this appointment. Trish is a perfect fit,” Australia CAN’s President Megan Alessandrini said.

Ennis joined Animal Welfare League Australia (AWLA) in December 2019 as National Executive.

“When the National Executive role came to my attention, I hadn't really heard of AWLA, and soon found out there were a number of Animal Welfare Leagues around Australia that didn't belong under the AWLA banner. It was clear there was great confusion out there about who we were and what we do,” she said. To page 30 www.theveterinarian.com.au

When it comes to measures designed to combat the illegal trade in wildlife the primary focus generally centres on conservation aspects, but a paper published recently in the journal Biological Conservation has found that without much tougher regulations the ramifications of this global trade – both legal and illegal – will be much greater. It will also have increasingly negative impacts on species, ecosystems and society – including people’s health, crime and economies.

Co-author Oliver Stringham from the University of Adelaide’s School of Biological Sciences said the illegal or unsustainable wildlife trade was growing at a global level and the impacts were far-reaching.

“The trade in wild vertebrates alone is estimated to involve a quarter of terrestrial species, while the trade in ocean life, invertebrates, plants and fungi remains considerably overlooked and poorly documented,” Stringham said.

The drivers of wildlife trade range from pet ownership, collections and exhibitions, to derived products that include food, medicine, decoration, fuel or construction, and for targeted species, the unsustainable trade represents one of the five major drivers of biodiversity loss and extinction at global scale.

Over-exploitation of target species can ultimately lead to a reduction in genetic diversity through inbreeding and decreasing populations, while disrupted interactions between species and ecosystem structure impacts on seed dispersal, pollination, and the loss of habitat.

Researchers found an additional consequence of the illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade risked the deliberate or accidental introduction of predators and pests in previously predator-free areas and came with an estimated price tag of US$162.7 billion a year. Not only does this risk causing havoc on native systems through the spread of disease, in extreme cases it could also result in native species extinction.

“Two-thirds of emerging infectious disease outbreaks affecting humans, many leading to pandemics, have zoonotic origins, and of these, the majority originate in wildlife,” Stringham said.

Wildlife crime has also grown from being a relatively small-scale local activity to a highly organised operation that involves criminal networks who consider the ‘relatively small penalties and minimal consequences,’ are a better option than the risks and penalties associated with dealing in illegal drugs or weapons.

According to co-author of the paper, PhD candidate Adam Toomes from UA’s School of Biological Sciences’ Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, the legal yet unregulated wildlife trade can be just as detrimental as its illegal counterpart.

“A large diversity of species aren’t protected by international regulation and are traded without any formal documentation process, making it incredibly difficult to evaluate the associated costs and benefits. The trade is also highly dynamic so that in extreme cases demand for previously low-risk species can increase rapidly, outpacing relevant regulation,” Toomes said.

In an associated paper researchers outlined a number of approaches and tools available to curb the trade. These include bans, quotas, protected areas, certification, captive-breeding and propagation, and education and awareness.

Although the study showed urgent action was required Toomes said solutions must include a recognition that many communities depended on the wildlife trade, so it was crucial to find a balance between some often-opposing views.

“Trade regulations that don’t take this into consideration could increase vulnerability and poverty in certain areas that depend on it for food and income. With large differences in legislation, cultural drivers of trade and availability of species, there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy. Each unique context warrants a variety of disciplines and actors dedicated to ensuring trade occurs sustainably,” he said.

■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT ‘Scientists’ warning to humanity on illegal or unsustainable wildlife trade’ is available at doi.org.10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109341.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 TheVeterinarian 5

FACE TO FACE

A

nthony Caiafa has university degrees in both veterinary science and human dentistry. He is a highly regarded veterinary dentist and one of only a handful of practicing human and veterinary dentists in the world. His hope is to improve dental skills in the veterinary profession. “The biggest challenge is to get universities to change their curriculum to include more dentistry training in the undergraduate vet course. Vets are not yet graduating to the point where they’re safe in dentistry. My goal is to increase the level of knowledge of vets and to try to get the profession to be better at what they do in the oral cavity.”

In 1978, when Caiafa graduated from the University of Melbourne with a vet degree, dentistry was far from his mind. In fact, as veterinary dentistry was not taught in the undergraduate curriculum, very few vets at that time had knowledge of dental disease or how to treat it. Instead, he embarked on a career in small animal practice.

A few years after graduating, he bought a practice in Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula, where he and his wife, Alison – also a vet – lived and worked at the clinic. After-hours clinics were yet to appear so, working 24/7, constantly on-call, was par for the course. And with few specialist clinics around, veterinary practitioners had to deal with all kinds of surgeries including orthopaedics.

While working in general practice, Caiafa developed an interest in small animal surgery. Under a scheme that gave rise to the Practitioners in Residence program set up by the Melbourne Metropolitan Practitioners Branch of the AVA, Caiafa attended the University of Melbourne to further his interest and skills in surgery. For one year, on his day off from clinical practice, he drove 180km to Werribee to learn and assist on small animal surgeries. In 1992,

MOLARS AND MARATHONS:

ANTHONY CAIAFA he sat Membership exams in Small Animal Surgery.

The following year he sat Membership exams in Veterinary Dentistry.

The decision to return to university to study human dentistry was a pragmatic one. “After more than ten years of fairly constant on-call and after-hours work, I knew I couldn’t sustain it for the rest of my life.

So, I took a deviation in my career.”

His interest in dentistry was sparked and encouraged by a dentist friend who occasionally helped on animal patients. Caiafa recognized a need for more veterinary dentists, but the demand was quite low in the 1990s.

Specializing in veterinary dentistry would also require a residency in the USA. Studying human dentistry, however, would ensure good work prospects as he could work either as a dentist or a vet (or both), there would be no after hours as a dentist, and he could also apply his newfound knowledge on his animal patients.

At 38 years of age, he enrolled in the University of Melbourne dental school, graduating in 1998 as dux of his class. After graduation he worked in a dental practice in Rosebud, ironically just down the road from his first vet clinic, which led to a few interesting encounters with former clients. A few years later he bought a dental practice in Melbourne where he worked for the next seven years.

Caiafa’s goal was never to switch professions.

“The main reason I studied dentistry was to learn more about vet dentistry.” While studying dentistry at university, he began treating dental disease in animals at the university vet school, a practice he continued www.theveterinarian.com.au

once a week on a teaching and referral basis when he returned to Melbourne. “A lot of what we do in veterinary dentistry comes from what we do in human dentistry.”

Of human dental practice, Caiafa found his veterinary experience came in handy when working in school dentistry. “You have to try to read the symptoms as you can’t rely on the kids’ answers. In that way treating kids is similar to assessing, diagnosing and treating pets.”

And like animals, kids can bite.

By the time Caiafa moved to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in 2008, veterinary dentistry was gaining momentum. Although he continued working in human dental practice, he began consulting at North Coast Veterinary Specialists and at private practices. In 2010 he was offered a role as Adjunct Professor at James Cook University, teaching veterinary dentistry to vet students – a position he still enjoys. Over the

past decade he has become firmly established and recognized in the veterinary dental world.

He is a former President of the Australian Veterinary Dental Society, conducts workshops for IM3 and corporate vet practices and travels extensively around the globe giving lectures, workshops, and webinars.

Caiafa’s achievements extend beyond the academic realm. An athlete all his life he has competed in five Ironman events, two in the prestigious Hawaii Ironman competition, where competitors swim 3.8km, cycle 180km and run a 42.2km marathon. As a triathlete, he represented Australia in the 2006 NZ Olympic distance triathlon. “But my wife is more impressive,” he says. “Alison has competed in ten Ironman events, four of them in Hawaii.”

Working in both the human and veterinary dental fields provides Caiafa unique insights into the challenges faced by both. “The biggest

eight weeks of age. I wipe hexarinse on my cats’ teeth every second day.

Start young and get them used to it.

Use hexarinse or brush teeth every day if possible but no worse than every second day.”

Caiafa has worked in the mouths of several species including primates, crocodiles, lions, and tigers. At Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, he assisted with dental work on rescued lions, tigers and wild dogs.

“We mainly performed root canal fillings but also a few extractions.”

‘If I can put something back into the profession, or help others with dentistry, I want to do it.

I don’t like to see animals suffer needlessly for something that can be corrected.’

challenge human dentists face is fear and anxiety from the public which is usually driven by misinformation or from personal experience, often from childhood. Treatments aren’t painful any more but it’s a process to desensitize clients.

The challenge in vet dentistry is that oral pathology is picked up quite late or missed altogether.” Animals are better at handling and hiding pain, but Caiafa believes vets often overlook performing a thorough oral examination.

Other common mistakes vets make with regards to animal dental health is to miss pathology that may not be visually obvious. “Take X-rays,” he says. “Also, discuss treatment options with clients.” Is an extraction or a root canal filling a better solution? Should you refer the case?”

“Finally, vets need to plan, to have better time management. Don’t rush in. Sometimes it’s better to stage procedures.” He advises performing diagnostics and devising a plan before beginning treatment. “Dentistry is usually performed on older animals that often have co-morbidities. Two short anaesthetics are better than a four-to-five-hour GA.” Dental prophylaxis is also crucial. “Advise clients to start active home care from six to www.theveterinarian.com.au

Considering the root of a lion’s canine tooth is approx. 10cm long, extractions can be lengthy, difficult, and laborious.

In 2022, Caiafa will travel to Malaysian Borneo with animal charity, Animal Assist, to perform dental surgery on sun bears rescued from the bear bile trade. Sun bears used in this cruel trade often have badly damaged teeth where handlers have roughly hacked off crowns to prevent bites and attacks. The bears are in constant pain. Preparation for the project will take quite a deal of organization especially as the extent of dental disease won’t be known until the animals are anaesthetised. IM3 is supplying dental X-ray equipment but power equipment and specialized instruments will need to be transported from Australia.

“We might need more than one vet working in the mouth at one time. It won’t be easy but hopefully we can make a difference.”

Caiafa’s charitable work extends to the Noosa RSPCA where he does pro bono dentistry on shelter animals. “If I can put something back into the profession, or help others with dentistry, I want to do it. I don’t like to see animals suffer needlessly for something that can be corrected.”

For more information, visit www.mobilepetdentistry.com.au.

■ OLIVIA POZZAN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 TheVeterinarian 7

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Mark Bryan qualified in Glasgow in 1988, and moved to New Zealand in 1995.

Kiwi Post

A fragile privilege I’ve been privileged to have been a vet for over 30 years. It was a vaguely random choice at the timeI can’t pretend it was born out of a huge passion, or an intellectual dissection of its promise, or even a great desire for service.

Instead, for a slightly above average student in a rural-ish community in the West of Scotland, it seemed a better option at University than medicine, which was the first place students were normally pushed towards. And being congenitally grumpy towards people, who seemed to be the main focus of medicine, animals felt like a better option.

Having squeezed in, I found myself amongst people who had dreamed of being a vet since they were two or three. Then there were 5 years of fairly fruitless studying, struggling to get over the 30 per cent threshold in term exams to continue, interspersed with much more inspiring social events, before finally scraping past the finishing post.

We lost our first classmate within two weeks, the result of a horrible car accident on her first solo day in her first job. It brought home the fragility of what we had all strived variously to achieve. But it also crystalised the privilege we had to be allowed to continue the journey.

www.theveterinarian.com.au

And it’s been an inspiring journey. While most people dream of getting a farm tour or stepping foot on a high country station, we have the unique privilege of being invited onto people’s farms and stations. While others adore cats and dogs and love to be with them, we get paid to spend all day with them and improve their lives.

For those of us lucky enough to work in rural communities, we have the added bonus of becoming a part of these unique social structures. Our lives are intertwined with our communities. We live, love, work, play with the people who are our friends, colleagues, clients, neighbours. We can’t separate work from play.

We’ve reached that state of mastery described by the words of François-René de Chateaubriand 200 years ago, ‘A master in the art of living draws nosharp distinction between his work and his play; his labour and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation.

He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.’

And yet, for a sector inspired by the rich lives of James Herriot and others of his ilk, it doesn’t always feel that way. The prevalence of mental illness amongst veterinarians is repeatedly reported as being higher than the general

population. We know that we have a suicide rate that is four times that of non- vet cohorts.

A recent Norwegian study found that over a quarter of 2596 veterinarians surveyed had felt that life was ‘not worth living’ within the past year. Females had twice the rate of ‘serious suicidal’ thoughts than males.

It’s hard to square this bleak and tragic picture with the colourful and rich experience so many of us have as veterinarians. What has happened to the profession that I joined 35 years ago, brimming with expectations of an idyllic Herriot-esque life? How have we fallen so far, and failed so many? What legacy are we leaving our graduates and younger vets?

We lost a nearby veterinary colleague and friend to suicide last month. He was the second in as many months in New Zealand. The crisis that stalks our profession landed on our shoulders with a cold, unexpected suddenness.

Worlds were thrown into disarray. The talons of grief reached far and wide into a close, small community, and scraped raw scars down its back.

In a profession that responds well to others’ crises, we seem unable to prevent or alter our own. And there’s a sense that this is getting worse.

But this may not be a new problem.

James Herriot himself suffered from significant depression. Writing his amazing books To page 30

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 TheVeterinarian 9

VET ETHICS

Simon Coghlan has a PhD in philosophy.

His doctorate addressed human and animal ethics and he has published in this field in peer-reviewed journals.

He has a Masters in Bioethics and a Grad. Cert. in Higher Education. Currently he lectures in Health Ethics and Professionalism at the School of Medicine at Deakin University, Geelong.

He is also a Melbourne veterinarian.

10 TheVeterinarian JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

The application of pressure: how will you choose to survive?

The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented pressure on veterinary clinics. Many smaller clinics and larger vet hospitals and emergency centres have -- often for the first time in their histories -- gone on bypass, temporarily closed, or severely restricted their hours. Sometimes a complete absence of staff (e.g. due to physical or mental illness or quarantine) has left clinics with no option but to close. At other times, closure of the hospital has been a choice or deliberate decision, precipitated by difficulties arising from reduced staff numbers and very high caseloads.

There can be differences in judgment between clinics about when closing or going on bypass is warranted. Furthermore, divergences in judgment can occur between members of the same clinic.

For example, practice owners may order employees to fit in all or nearly all clients who call or arrive at the clinic, where as employees (vets, nurses, receptionists) may sometimes think this is a mistake. This raises the question of when it is justified to shut down a practice or to go on bypass -- that is, to limit the number of clients seen and to turn patients (even quite sick ones) away. During COVID-19, the medical profession has also confronted such difficult ethical issues. What factors should go into ethical decision-making about choosing to close or go on bypass?

To my mind, veterinary clinics and hospitals should carefully consider several ethical factors.

First, there are duties to patients (and clients). Normally, patients who are turned away may be seen by another clinic. Yet one of the unprecedented aspects of this pandemic is that veterinarians and nurses have sometimes been in severely short supply, even in big cities. That situation is less of a problem when it comes to providing routine procedures

like vaccinations (though the temporary lack of such services can also sometimes lead to medical problems). The more pressing moral issue, of course, concerns animals that need to be seen more urgently and may have painful or life-threatening conditions.

However, when medical staff are extremely tired and overly busy, the quality of medical care can decrease. Therefore, the harms to patients caused by turning some of them away need to be balanced against the harms caused by taking on too many cases.

Second, there are duties to veterinary personnel. A clinic that closes or goes on bypass may put additional pressure on neighbouring practices. This can be unfair and is another reason why the decision needs to be made carefully.

On the other hand, remaining open or electing to see all (or almost all) veterinary cases can be unfair on the vet personnel in certain circumstances. An excessive caseload can cause exhaustion and worsen personal health in a profession already deeply troubled by stress and mental illness.

Too high a caseload can also drive another acute problem our profession faces: job attrition.

Such consequences clearly can harm staff members themselves.

In turn, veterinary attrition can harm patients, clients, and the longer-term success of the practice.

Third, there is the need for the business to remain viable.

When a practice faces too much financial pressure, it may be forced to shed staff, reduce the quality of care, or close permanently.

There is a difference, however, between remaining viable and making profits during a once-in-a-century health crisis by capitalizing on the additional veterinary work. The impact on staff, patients, and clients caused by permitting onerous working conditions must be factored into the ethical decision.

Clearly, given the weighty considerations involved, the decision may be quite difficult to navigate. People may also disagree from case to case.

Nonetheless, a better justified decision about closing or going on bypass can be made from careful consideration of the above factors.

Do you have something you’d like Simon to consider? Email us your ethical conundrum at editor@vetmag.com.au.

■ www.theveterinarian.com.au

Management

As a practice buyer: would you rather be right or rich?

Simon Palmer is the Managing Director of Practice Sale Search, Australia’s largest practice brokerage. If you’d like more information on practice sales or want to have a confidential discussion about your practice’s circumstances, email Simon Palmer at info@practice salesearch.com.au or call 1300 282 042.

Most business purchasers will rely on a valuation to tell them the ballpark of what things should sell for. For some vets, whose cognitive strengths and training up until that point have been scientific in nature, the desire to adhere to guidelines like a formula can be greater and more inflexible than for others.

Many a time I have come across a vet that has been looking for the right practice to buy for quite some time, only to turn down an opportunity that was otherwise perfect for them because their appraisal formula told them it was overpriced (sometimes by as little as ten or twenty thousand dollars).

These buyers are not uninformed.

They argue their position, armed with spreadsheets and formulas, correspondence from reputable accountants and real estate agents, to justify their position. All this research may be 100 per cent accurate and valid, but it just plain misses the point.

1. You should absolutely use a valuation to inform your decision making., but it isn’t meant to be rigidly held on to without some flexibility and ability to compromise.

Lately, every city and town of Australia has had stories of real estate selling for record prices at auctions, way above the reserve. If you went to one of these real estate auctions and told everyone to stop bidding because the price had gone above the reputable valuation that you had done, you would be laughed out of the room.

Simply put, a vet practice that is sold on the open market with competitive tension doesn’t strictly adhere to a valuation or formula.

Something will sell for what the market will bear.

2. If you are relying solely on a valuation to give you a price, how do they: a) Factor in the opportunity cost and frustration involved in inaction for you? How much is it currently costing you, not being able to set your own fees, and have clinical independence? How much is it costing you in lifestyle, not being able to set your own hours and decide when you can take holidays? b) Know how often or rare it is for a practice that is right for you comes on the market? It could be another year or two till another opportunity like this comes up. c) Value the opportunities of a vet practice purchase, like poor competitors, low fees, underservicing or poor availability? d) Factor in the supply and demand that exists for practices like this one at the time?

Surely each of these could deserve some price consideration that cannot be accurately factored into the appraisal?

Conclusion There are two points that I am trying to make with this article: 1. You may be absolutely correct in your research and appraisal.

You may be able to sleep happy, knowing that you didn’t pay $20k more than your research and advice dictated. However, your reward for sticking to your guns could be staying in your underappreciated job, watching as the (more flexible) buyer of your perfect practice takes it from strength to strength and becomes wealthy in the meantime.

Sometimes, in business negotiation and acquisition, you need to choose to be either right or rich. You can win the battle by adhering to your formula and not being flexible on price and terms, only to lose the war in overall wealth creation.

2. There is no valuation that can factor in the strengths of your preferences and your opportunity costs of inaction. Valuations are valuable to inform your decision making but at the end of the day, the question isn’t “what the opportunity is worth according to this formula”; the real question is: What is the opportunity worth to you?

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Is there a topic you’ve wanted to tell everyone about?

Have you ever thought you would like to write a clinical review but don’t know where to start?

Do you have a hobby or history that you think vets everywhere would like to learn more about?

Then don’t delay – email The Veterinarian at editor@vetmag.com.au and let us know – because your words could be in the pages of next month’s issue!

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 TheVeterinarian 11

THE VETERINARIAN’S CHOICE

OMEGA VET

SIGMA VET

X8 VET

■ EDITED BY JENI HOOD BSc (Hons) BVMS PhD

Abstracts

Dietary management of chronic enteropathy in dogs Chronic idiopathic enteropathy is a clinical condition defined by the exclusion of infectious, metabolic or neoplastic causes of gastrointestinal signs and is categorised by a response to treatment including management with diet change, immunosuppressant medication or interventions that directly target the microbiome (e.g., antibiotics, faecal transplantation or probiotics). Animals that fail these therapies are categorised as non-responsive or refractory chronic idiopathic enteropathy. This specific categorisation implies that nutritional intervention is only needed for a subset of patients with enteropathy.

However, often dogs with chronic idiopathic enteropathy are malnourished, have nutrient malabsorption or have gastrointestinal inflammation that occurs as a result of a breakdown in tolerance to luminal antigens including microorganism or dietary components.

Thus, all dogs with chronic idiopathic enteropathy benefit from a nutritional assessment and targeted nutritional intervention.

Among dogs presenting for chronic idiopathic enteropathy, the response rate to diet alone is roughly 50 per cent in the referral population giving the impression that the overall response could be even higher especially when more than one nutritional intervention is attempted, and strict adherence is maintained. The objectives of this review article are to outline the nutritional approach to a dog with chronic idiopathic enteropathy, including the nutritional assessment, and to highlight areas for nutritional intervention.

M K Tolbert1, M Murphy2, L Gaylord3, A Witzel-Rollins2 J Small Anim Pract. 2022 Jan 6.doi: 10.1111/jsap.13471.

1Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4474, USA. 2College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA. 3Whole Pet Provisions, PLLC, Fuquay-Varina, NC, 27526, USA.

Environmental heat stress in rabbits: implications and ameliorations Profitable production of rabbit meat requires comfortable environment for expression of good quality traits embedded in the genetic components of rabbits. One of the major problems facing rabbit production is heat stress, especially in hot regions of the world.

This is further aggravated by global warming being experienced as a result of climate change. Rabbits have no or few sweat glands, complicating the problem of heat dissipation, thereby predisposing the animals to heat stress (HS). Heat stress adversely affect (sic) welfare and adaptation, feed consumption and utilization, immunity and health status, growth, reproduction, and milk production in rabbits. Rabbits are homoeothermic animals. They should be capable of body temperature regulation within a narrow range.

Thermoregulation is extremely poor in rabbits because of lack of sweat glands. Rabbits are highly sensitive to high ambient temperature. The presence of thick insulator fur on the skin further impedes heat loss in rabbits. This review summarizes data available literatures in the last two decades (2000-2020). Short compilation on management techniques adopted in rearing rabbits under hot conditions is included.

Abioja Monsuru Oladimeji1, Temitope Gloria Johnson2, Khaled Metwally3, Mohamed Farghly4, Khalid Mohamed Mahrose5 Int J Biometeorol. 2022 Jan;66(1):1-11. doi: 10.1007/s00484-021-02191-0.

1Department of Animal Physiology, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture PMB, Abeokuta, 2240, Nigeria.

2Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

3Soil and Water Sciences Department, Faculty of Technology and Development, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.

4Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.

5Animal and Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Technology and Development, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt. ostrichkhalid@zu.edu.eg.

www.theveterinarian.com.au

2022 ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the management of acute pain in cats Practical relevance: Increases in cat ownership worldwide mean more cats are requiring veterinary care. Illness, trauma and surgery can result in acute pain, and effective management of pain is required for optimal feline welfare (ie, physical health and mental wellbeing). Validated pain assessment tools are available and pain management plans for the individual patient should incorporate pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy. Preventive and multimodal analgesia, including local anaesthesia, are important principles of pain management, and the choice of analgesic drugs should take into account the type, severity and duration of pain, presence of comorbidities and avoidance of adverse effects. Nursing care, environmental modifications and cat friendly handling are likewise pivotal to the pain management plan, as is a team approach, involving the cat carer.

Clinical challenges: Pain has traditionally been under-recognised in cats. Pain assessment tools are not widely implemented, and signs of pain in this species may be subtle. The unique challenges of feline metabolism and comorbidities may lead to undertreatment of pain and the development of peripheral and central sensitisation. Lack of availability or experience with various analgesic drugs may compromise effective pain management.

Evidence base: These Guidelines have been created by a panel of experts and the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) based on the available literature and the authors' experience. They are aimed at general practitioners to assist in the assessment, prevention and management of acute pain in feline patients, and to provide a practical guide to selection and dosing of effective analgesic agents.

Paulo V Steagall1, Sheilah Robertson2, Bradley Simon3, Leon N Warne4, Yael Shilo-Benjamini5, Samantha Taylor6 J Feline Med Surg. 2022 Jan;24(1):4-30.doi: 10.1177/1098612X211066268.

1Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universite de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada; and Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and Centre for Companion Animal Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

2Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, Lutz, Florida, USA. 3Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, College Station, Texas, USA. 4Veterinary Anaesthesia & Pain Management Australia, Perth, Western Australia; and Veterinary Cannabis Medicines Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

5Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.

6International Society of Feline Medicine, Tisbury, UK.

Effects of free farrowing system on the productive performance and welfare of sows and piglets Regardless of international animal welfare regulations, most sows in production currently spend most of their lives and the peripartum period in caged housing systems. Although this type of management is intended to reduce neonatal mortality in piglets, several studies consider that there has been no significant reduction in its incidence over the last 30 years. On the contrary, cage housing has promoted the appearance of alterations during the farrowing process such as dystocia, as well as in maternal behaviour and health, promoting stereotypes, skin lesions and other alterations, which not only impact the sows but also their progeny during the lactational period. To page 30

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

TheVeterinarian

13

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2021 THE YEAR IN REVIEW

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

A look back at the past twelve months

The Australian Veterinary Association began the ringing in of its centenary year, to be marked with a series of celebrations.

Throughout 2021, the association planned to acknowledge the 100 “living treasures” of the profession, develop an historical timeline, honour local vets, work with universities through a student program and incorporate a “future” theme in upcoming VetEd talks.

category. Research impact was recognised with the RVC scoring 98.9 in Citations per Paper. This was supported by the 97.5 score for h-index, surpassing 2020’s 96.9.

The AVA celebrated International Women’s Day 2021 by acknowledging the contribution of women within the veterinary profession as well as the battles yet to be fought.

Recently graduated vet and the AVA’s Veterinary Thought Leader of the Year in 2020, Marlena Lopez, said that though women now make up almost 75 per cent of the profession, Lopez asserted that challenges remain, and that the industry is still “very top-heavy with men … sexism, is yet to be eradicated from the veterinary profession; however, I believe with greater awareness of the difficulties that women face, the profession as a whole and the portrayal of the role that women play within it, will improve over time.”

state representative roles within the AVA. The University of Sydney received a grant from WIRES to better comprehend and manage wildlife diseases. The $200,000 grant supports the School of Veterinary Science through two years of initiatives to improve diagnoses for native wildlife and enhance outcomes in the longer term.

WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor said the grant will create an environment where best practice treatment and an improved understanding of cross species transmission are possible.

CLINICAL REVIEW Naomi Hansen: Disseminated intravascular coagulation: diagnostic and management strategies

RSPCA NSW seized 79 dogs from a breeder in Central West NSW after reports of alleged breaches of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979. Two RSPCA inspectors executed a search warrant, and due to the large number of animals involved, two RSPCA veterinarians and two animal transport officers attended the scene. All 79 dogs and puppies were admitted to RSPCA veterinary hospitals.

Research published in Ecology Letters estimated that only 17,000 Tasmanian devils remain in the wild, a significant decline since the estimated peak of 53,000 in 1996, when the deadly facial tumour disease was first identified, and that has since ravaged the species. Wildlife ecologist and lead author Calum Cunningham from the University of Tasmania said DFTD had spread across devils’

geographic range, but the factors influencing the spread were less well understood.

CLINICAL REVIEW Penny Linnett: Mastitis in sheep CLINICAL FEATURE Mark Kelman: The fight to stop canine parvo moves from research to action

MARCH

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) was named as the top veterinary school in the QS World University Rankings 2021.

Compiled by global higher education analysts, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the rankings provide authoritative comparative analysis on the performance of 14,435 individual university programs. In addition to maintaining a perfect score for the Academic Reputation indicator (100) for a second year running, the University saw improvements across every single

Research published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases confirmed the first reported case of tuberculosis in a juvenile, free-ranging Australian sea line (Neophoca cinerea). Unusually, the disease was found in the animal’s abdomen rather than its lungs.

The three-year-old juvenile died shortly after hauling itself onto a Kangaroo Island beach in 2017.

Injured Australian birds of prey will be rehabilitated in a new free flight aviary located in Northern Rivers NSW and operated

by Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital (BBWH), thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife’s “Wildlife Heroes” program.

BBWH’s wildlife veterinarians will partner with landowners dedicated to conservation along with local wildlife carers to treat and rehabilitate Australian raptors including kites, hawks, eagles, kestrels, ospreys, and owls that have suffered injuries, trauma, or disease.

Long-time AVA and Equine Group member John McCaffrey was recognised in the Australia Day 2021 Honours for his significant service to veterinary science and equine welfare. McCaffrey was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his outstanding contribution to equine practice, research, and equine welfare on both national and international levels, including numerous committee and

2021 THE YEAR IN REVIEW

APRIL

USA and Australia, successfully mapped the full genetic code of monotremes, animals that are widely considered to be the least understood group of living mammals. Published in the journal Nature, the genetic blueprint provided fundamental insights into the unique biology of the echidna and platypus, as well as the evolution of all mammals.

A post-mortem was to be conducted to determine the cause of death of 10-year-old chimpanzee that died unexpectedly at Sydney Zoo. The chimp, named Mogli, was discovered in a moat at the Western Sydney facility during the zookeepers’ regular morning check. Zoo staff retrieved the body, and it was taken to the zoo’s headquarters in Bungarribee. CCTV footage was reviewed, however this proved unrevealing.

An international team of 40 scientists with expertise in bioinformatics, cytogenetics, and molecular biology, from China, Japan, Denmark, the

JUNE

fession. The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) recognised 19 critical occupations needed to assist Australia’s economic recovery amid the global pandemic, with vets joined by others including GPs and nurses.

AVA President Warwick Vale told RN that while he welcomed the PMSOL, the shortage is a worldwide problem, and he is not anticipating an international influx to fill a local industry gap of at least 800 vets.

■ Researchers at The University of Queensland investigated the benefits of essential oils for animal welfare, productivity, and sustainability in the Australian chicken meat industry.

With funding from AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the project’s leaders, Marta Navarro and Shahram Niknafs, began investigating if

Russell Crowe helped save the life of an injured kookaburra in Queensland. The academy award winner donated an unknown

chicken embryos and hatchlings are better-equipped to fight disease-resistance by supplementation with essential oils sourced from Australian native plants.

■ Results of research published in Cell Reports showed that cholesterol-lowering drugs reduce the growth of the deadly facial tumours that have caused Tasmanian devil populations in the wild to decline by an estimated 80 per cent since DFTD was first identified in the mid-’90s. Researchers examined tumour cells provided by the Tasmanian government’s Save The Tasmanian Devil Program, and found they required a minimum amount of cholesterol to multiply. If cholesterol synthesis was drastically reduced, the tumours failed to grow.

CLINICAL REVIEW Tania Sundra and David Rendle:

amount to Australia Zoo to facilitate the purchase of an endoscope required to save the bird which had swallowed a fishing hook.

“Thank you @russellcrowe for donating the funds to purchase this life-saving endoscope,” Terri Irwin tweeted.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association convened a new Committee to focus on ensuring that veterinarians globally have access to the latest resources and knowledge on the rapidly evolving area of reproduction control. The Reproduction Control Committee is chaired by Stefano Romagnoli, a European Veterinary Specialist in Animal Reproduction (Dipl ECAR) from the University of Padua in Italy. “We aim to help members make science-based choices for

and we don’t know this for sure,” author Luca Ferasin told The Guardian.

CLINICAL REVIEWS David Hughes, Gretta Howard, and Richard Malik: Treatment of FIP in cats with remdesivir Alice Kermond, Jenny Baird and Sally Thomson: African horse sickness virus

MAY

■ Vertebrate animals were recognised as sentient beings for the first time in UK law after the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill was introduced. With sentience part of domestic law, new legislation must acknowledge that animals can experience feelings such as joy or pain. The UK government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare has also been launched, and it outlines plans to advance standards and eradicate cruelty to animals locally and internationally.

■ Veterinarians were included in a list of prioritised skilled migrants by the Department of Home Affairs, which will grant urgent processing to the pro-

The current state of animal welfare regulation at slaughtering establishments was highlighted in a RSPCA report and scorecard.

In addition to identifying gas in the system, the report made recommendations for improving animal welfare outcomes through the industry sector. RSPCA chief scientist Bidda Jones said the report shone a spotlight on significant gaps in animal welfare regulation that includes abattoirs, knackeries and poultry processors.

Vets began examining a link between a variant of coronavirus and heart problems in cats and dogs following a rise in cases of myocarditis at a veterinary hospital in Buckinghamshire.

“We don’t want to spread panic unnecessarily, especially because at the moment we have a strong suspicion of transmission from human to pet, but not vice versa –

Updates in the management of equine gastric disease CLINICAL FEATURE Mark Kelman: Piloting vaccination programs for scalable parvo prevention

the management of reproduction in their patients, while safeguarding animal welfare and supporting the human-companion animal bond,” he said.

RSPCA Australia’s chief scientist and strategy officer, Bidda Jones, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours Awards. Other award recipients included Cameron Kerr (Officer of the Order of Australia (AO); Helen Scott-Orr, George Wilson, and Richard Zuber (Member of the Order of Australia (AM); and Monika Biernacki and Peggy McDonald (Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Australian musician Warren Ellis provided financial backing to a sanctuary dedicated to the protection of Indonesian wildlife.

The Dirty Three/Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds member’s support has enabled the expansion of the Sumatran Wildlife Centre, a facility for the rehabilitation of victims of the illegal wildlife trade established by veterinary paramedic Femke den Haas. The Centre now includes the adjoining Ellis Park, a 5000 square metre sanctuary to house animals too traumatised or handicapped to be released back into the wild.

CLINICAL REVIEWS Tom Donnelly: Dermatology of pet rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and mice Naomi Hansen: Aspiration pneumonia in dogs CLINICAL FEATURE Richard Malik and Amanda Craig: Use of Konakion MM for anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning

JULY

A look back at the past twelve months

Tasmania’s farmed salmon industry, under scrutiny since author Richard Flanagan’s whistleblowing Toxic was released, had further cause for concern following the release

chemical substances - known collectively as PFAS - in the pups, juveniles, and one adult male, of these endangered pinnipeds.

Researchers also found evidence that PFAS chemicals transfer from mothers to newborns ■ The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) published a new policy on native animal welfare which incorporates recommendations designed to protect Australia’s native animals from the threat of habitat clearing. The policy acknowledges the importance of habitat loss along with the suffering of animals killed by such clearing. “This new Native Animal Welfare policy is important as it recognises the threat of habitat clearing and advocates important steps to mitigate key issues,” Michael Banyard, an Executive Committee member of the Australian Veterinary Conservation

e

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SEPTEMBER

ity

Members of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) and Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) called on the

with the aim of encouraging up and coming veterinarians to produce and submit high quality evidence-based research.

Former outback grazier and rural veterinary surgeon Dexter Kruger died at age 111. Kruger died at an aged facility in Roma, Qld, after a short illness. Born in Nundah, Brisbane on January 13, 1910, Kruger was a pioneer of the liveweight cattle selling system and worked on the land well into his 90s. Kruger’s advice for a long life was to “eat good food”.

“People eat too much,” he told the ABC. “They eat themselves into the grave. Take it a day at a time and make the best of it.”

In acknowledging the historic addition of animal welfare clauses in the recently signed in-principle UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement, RSPCA CEO Richard Mussell said there still remained

Biology special interest group, said.

■ Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital was awarded $401,500 for the construction of accommodation and training facilities for emergency wildlife veterinarians, vet nurses, volunteers, and carers.

The grant funding is part of the $4.5 billion commitment from the NSW and Commonwealth governments to support economic, social, built, and natural environment recovery from the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires. “Wildlife vets, nurses and carers are critical to the conservation and care of Australian wildlife,” Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital (BBWH) Founder and CEO Stephen Van Mil said.

“We desperately need infrastructure enabling these care professionals to be accommodated close to the native animals in their care.”

Australian Government to assist Afghan veterinarians, veterinary paraprofessionals, and their families in leaving Afghanistan and resettling in Australia. “We are deeply distressed by the events currently unfolding in Afghanistan, and the serious risks to the safety of the Afghan people,” AVA President Warwick Vale and AVBC Chair Peter Gibbs said in a joint statement. “We call [for] all possible assistance to Afghan veterinarians, veterinary paraprofessionals and their families seeking to leave the country – especially those who have worked with western charities and non-government organisations whose safety may be at risk.”

The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) released alarming figures showing our nation’s most loved creature was in rapid decline.

more that could and should be done to improve animal welfare standards, including a recognition animals are sentient beings – crucial for identifying animals’ needs, and to assess their welfare. “This is the first time in history that animal welfare will be recognised in an Australian trade agreement, with a number of positive animal welfare commitments such as combatting antimicrobial resistance and setting up an intergovernmental working group to promote animal welfare, but the trade negotiations more broadly have shone a spotlight on Australia’s comparatively low animal welfare standards,” Mussell said.

CLINICAL REVIEW Tania Sundra and David Rendle: Current thinking on common equine endocrine disorders

AUGUST

■ Calls grew for tougher enforcement of live export regulations following repeated breaches by a Jordanian-owned company.

RSPCA Australia said Perth-based exporter Livestock Shipping Services (LSS) notched 44 breaches of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) framework created to prevent cruelty in supply chains. RSPCA Australia Senior Policy Officer, Jed Goodfellow, said the Department of Agriculture’s regulatory approach required more teeth.

“There is almost no deterrence built into the Department’s compliance approach,” he said. “No wonder this keeps happening.”

■ Part of a long-term collaborative health study of Australia’s seal and sea lion populations, conducted from 2017 to 2020 in several of their South Australian and Victorian colonies, has identified per- and polyfluoroalkyl

of Right to Information documents by the Tasmanian government’s Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment which discussed the aquaculture industry’s three main players, in respect of the deterrent practices used against wild seals when near fish farm-leased waters. Concerns raised in the RTI documents show DPIPWE staff made several investigations into seal deaths that occurred between January 2018 and January 2020 in and around the salmon leases.

Congratulations were due to Erina Leask, a student at the University of Sydney’s School of Veterinary Science, who won second place in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 2021 Student Veterinary Evidence Awards. The Veterinary Evidence Student Awards are open to undergraduate students worldwide,

CLINICAL REVIEW Naomi Hansen: The oxygen pathway CLINICAL FEATURE Penny Linnett: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) toxicosis in dogs and cats

Since 2018, there has been an estimated 30 per cent decline in koalas across Australia, with populations estimated to be between 32,065 to 57,920 down from 45,745 to 82,170 in 2018.

AKF has invested millions of dollars and 30 years of research into the creation of the Koala Habitat Atlas, and periodically they revise the koala population. The AKF is the first organisation to estimate koala numbers in each of the 128 federal electorates that have, or did have, koalas since white settlement.

The AVA received enquiries from journalists about whether vets are being asked for Ivermectin for use as a COVID-19 treatment/prevention in humans, and whether there are concerns about supply of the drug. The body issued a

media release which said Ivermectin is primarily used in treating parasites in large animals, and these preparations are very different to those approved for human use. “Large animal drugs are often very concentrated because they are used in species that weigh a lot more humans do … you should never use medications intended for animals on yourself,” AVA Head of Veterinary and Public Affairs, Cristy Secombe said.

The Ellis Park animal sanctuary has reached its funding goal for building materials, having received 65,300 Euros (more than $100,000 AUD) in donations.

CLINICAL REVIEW Naomi Hansen: Snakes: an envenomation update

2021 THE YEAR IN REVIEW A look back at the past twelve months

OCTOBER

The Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) made an interim decision to expand the current Schedule 5 entry for lidocaine, to include specifically targeted injectable solutions, at up to 2 per cent concentration, for the pain relief of lambs or calves undergoing animal husbandry procedures. The AVA made a submission opposing this, which was entered in January when submissions were first due.

A second submission opposing the interim decision was made in August 2021. The organisation has been informed that the decision will stand. In response, the AVA formed a working group involving several subject matter experts and continue to oppose the decision.

DECEMBER

spokesperson Sue Foster told The Veterinarian the incidents depicted in the videos are unsurprising as “we have no control when animals leave our shore.” The footage was taken by members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia, who visited seven abattoirs in Indonesia where Australian cattle are received and processed.

■ A $100,000 donation from the Petbarn Foundation – given specifically to support older pets being cared for in RSPCA shelters – made a ‘huge difference’ to the lives of senior animals, according to RSPCA CEO Richard Mussell.

“It’s generally easier to find a new family for a puppy or kitten, but our shelters often have plenty of sweetly tempered, beautifully behaved, healthy and active adult and older animals who are there

Coinciding with a surge in dog ownership in Australia, the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) launched Dogs Australia, a new not-for-profit organisation aimed at promoting animal welfare, responsible dog ownership and the benefits of buying dogs through registered breeders. As the consumer face of the internationally recognized ANKC, Dogs Australia united the expertise of around

through no fault of their own,” Mussell said. Foundation manager Janelle Bloxsom said the organisation is now partnering with the RSPCA and other animal rescue centres to support adoptions and to date has rehomed 58,000 pets through its 153 Petbarn in-store adoption centres.

■ Koalas joined vaccination queues with the rollout of Phase 3 of a chlamydia vaccine trial involving 200 animals at Queensland’s Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Each of the koalas received a single dose of a vaccine that contains tiny slivers of the Chlamydia pecorum bacteria.

Researchers hoped the vaccine, that has been over 10 years in development, will prompt the animals’ immune systems to build a resistance to the sexually transmitted disease.

60,000 members, including 11,000 registered breeders, 350 breed clubs and almost 500 sports-for-dogs clubs around the nation. “The launch of Dogs Australia draws on the strength and experience of all the state and territorybased member bodies to advocate for dog welfare and responsible dog ownership,” Dogs Australia President, Hugh Gent OAM, said.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Welfare Working Group, established and tasked with the mission to: ‘review the current welfare landscape in the Australian thoroughbred industry, to look to world’s best practice for guidance, to consult with participants in the industry and draw upon the learnings from other animal industries,’ delivered its report. The report, which included practical policy recommendations to enable the industry to improve welfare outcomes for Australia’s horses, made 46 recommendations that RSPCA Australia’s chief scientist Bidda Jones said should be implemented “immediately”.

A West Australian veterinarian was deregistered after injecting herself and two friends with ketamine during a weekend away.

The State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) found former Murray Veterinary Services vet Catherine McGuigan guilty of professional misconduct

2018 and December 2019, accounting for the transportation of 147,000 cattle, RSPCA Australia Senior Scientific Officer and study co-author, Di Evans, identified 10 key risk factors on the voyages.

“These are hunger, thirst, exposure to extreme temperatures, poor pen conditions, health issues, absence of veterinarians, rough seas, poor ship infrastructure, mechanical breakdown and mismanagement at discharge,” she said.

CLINICAL REVIEWS Penny Linnett: Buttercup’s big week – lambing over 72 hours Tania Sundra, Christopher Beggs and David Rendle: Management of acute laminitis.

NOVEMBER

■ An RSPCA inspection has led to the conviction of a Western Australian woman for animal cruelty. The 72-year-old Jelcobine resident was convicted in the Armadale Magistrates Court. For the cruelty offence, she received a $20,000 fine (suspended for 12 months) and was banned from owning or coming into contact with animals for 15 years. She received a suspended jail term of six months and 15 days for failing to comply with a previous prohibition order. The conviction follows an inspection where RSPCA found several diseased and dead horses on the offender’s property.

■ Footage of animal cruelty alleged to have occurred in Indonesian abattoirs has been described as “the same old cracked record” by Vets Against Live Export (VALE). VALE

A seven-year-old unvaccinated Clydesdale from the Newcastle area was euthanased following confirmation of a variant Hendra virus strain, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) reported.

The new variant (Hendra virus Genotype 2/HeV-g2) and most southern case of Hendra recorded was confirmed in early October by testing at the DPI’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute laboratory and at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.

Concerning conditions on cattle voyages have been uncovered in research funded by Vets Against Live Export (VALE) and the RSPCA. Based on independent observer reports on voyages between July

CLINICAL REVIEW Nicholas Kannegieter: Equine upper limb fractures – can any be saved?

and removed her from the register of veterinary surgeons. The SAT found McGuigan misused her authority to administer or supply drugs to animals at the clinic. “The respondent admitted her wrongdoing and reached agreement with the [Veterinary Surgeon’s Board of WA] to resolve these proceedings at the earliest opportunity,” the Tribunal’s finding said.

McGuigan had no prior disciplinary history.

A Thai construction mogul has been sentenced to three years and two months jail over a series of incidents in a wildlife sanctuary where a rare black panther was shot and cooked over a campfire. 66-year-old Premchai Karnasuta was arrested at a campsite in the Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rangers found guns and carcasses of several animals nearby, including the panther which had been butchered and used as a soup ingredient. Premchai was convicted on several charges including carrying weapons without a permit and poaching.

CLINICAL REVIEW Naomi Hansen: Anaemia: what is it?

CLINICAL FEATURE Shannon Lee: Oral neoplasia in the horse

Clinical Review

Body temperature regulation: a review

Penny Linnett BSc (Zool Hons) BVSc MPhil MANZCVS 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 of Your Hobby Farm Success, helping hobby farmers enjoy their lifestyle, and reap the benefits of having healthy and happy animals.

Fever and pyrexia Fever is also known as pyrexia which comes from the Greek word pyretos, meaning fire. It is also sometimes referred to as a ‘febrile response’ which comes from the Latin word febris. It describes an increase in the body temperature, due to an increase in the body’s thermoregulatory set point. The febrile response is orchestrated by the central nervous system through endocrine, neurological, immunological, and behavioural mechanisms, and it is a significant contributor to the pathogenesis, clinical presentation and outcome of many diseases and illnesses. Fever is a major diagnostic challenge in both animals and humans as, for example, it may be caused by more than 200 diseases in humans.

The terms pyrexia and fever are often used interchangeably. Some people prefer to regard fever as an increase in body temperature with pyrexia being an increase in body temperature that exceeds the normal range for that species. Fever is temporary, and usually goes away within a few days. Certain medications can lower a fever but sometimes it is best left untreated; fever plays a role in helping the body fight off a number of infections. However, in young animals and humans, a slightly elevated temperature may indicate a serious infection.

Fever is usually accompanied by anorexia, depression, lethargy, sleepiness, hyperanalgesia and an inability to concentrate.

Q fever is a rare disease caused

by Coxiella burnetii, and spreads through contact with livestock and other farm animals, especially sheep and goats. It can cause flulike symptoms, usually 2-3 weeks after exposure to the bacteria.

It also occurs among people who consume contaminated, unpasteurised dairy products. but is treatable with antibiotics.

C. burnetii is found in infected animal milk, urine, faeces and birthing products such as the amniotic fluid. A vaccine against Q fever is available. Q fever can be treated with antibiotics with/without other medications such as hydroxychloroquine.

What is fever?

Fever is part of the body’s immune response to an apparent threat. It is an important clinical sign and can also be a useful indicator of the success of medical intervention, such as response to antimicrobial therapy (indicated by reduction of body temperature to normal levels).

Three major types of fever have been described including sustained/continuous fever, intermittent fever, and remittent fever (also known as periodic fever or relapsing fever). The mechanisms underlying the specificity of fever patterns to certain diseases are not completely understood.

Sources of continuous, intermittent or transient bacteraemia can lead to continuous, intermittent or transient fevers respectively. For some infectious diseases such as malaria, for example, it is likely related to the life cycle of the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted through bites from Anopheles mosquitoes.

Continuous or sustained fever is defined as a fever that does not fluctuate more than about 1oC during a 24-hour period, but at no time during that period does the body temperature return to within the normal range. A continuous fever is characteristic of, for example, gram-negative pneumonia, acute bacterial meningitis and urinary tract infections. In humans, fever characterised by a slow stepwise temperature rise and a high plateau is typical of typhoid fever.

Intermittent fever is defined as a fever which is present only for several hours during the day; it has been seen in humans in conditions such as malaria (depending on the species of parasite), pyogenic infections, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis and lymphomas.

Remittent/relapsing/periodic fever is defined as a fever with daily fluctuations exceeding 2oC but at no time during that period is it at a normal level; the fever is recurring and separated by periods with either low-grade or no fever. Remittent fevers are often associated with infectious diseases such as endocarditis and brucellosis, and also malaria, lymphoma, borrelia, cyclic neutropenia and rat-bite fever.

In humans, fever associated with night sweats has been described in infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, liver or lung abscess and sub-acute infective endocarditis, as well as in non-infectious diseases such as polyarteritis nodosa and some cancers such as lymphomas.

Body temperature regulation Body temperature is tightly regulated within a fairly constant range (a thermal set-point or thermal balance point through the process of thermoregulation) via both autonomic and behavioural thermoeffectors. The body’s thermoregulatory set point is tightly controlled by the hypothalamus which acts as a thermostat to maintain the temperature as close as possible to a normal set-point of about 37oC, though individuals can vary slightly.

It receives input from internal and external thermoreceptors in the skin and internal organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, but it is the local synthesis of prostaglandin E2

■ www.theveterinarian.com.au

(PGE2) in the hypothalamus that is the definitive mediator of the febrile response. The set-point temperature of the body remains elevated until PGE2 is no longer present.

When the set point is raised, the body increases its temperature through the generation of heat (by muscle movements; ‘shivering’) and by reducing heat loss through the skin (vasoconstriction). The liver also produces additional heat. When the fever stops and the hypothalamus setting returns to normal, vasodilation and sweating are used to cool the body.

The mechanism by which the hypothamalmic set point is increased involves pyrogens which can be endogenous (e.g., cytokines) or exogenous (e.g., infectious agents or drugs). Pyrogens cause the release of PGE2 which acts on the hypothalamus to raise the set-point and generate a systemic response back to the rest of the body.

In the classical model of pathogenesis, exogenous pyrogens stimulate the release of endogenous pyrogens into the circulatory system. As an example, the bacterial lipopolysaccharide present in the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria binds to lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, and the resulting complex then binds to the CD14 receptor of a nearby macrophage. This binding results in the synthesis and release of various endogenous cytokine factors (e.g. interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferons) which activate the arachidonic acid pathway.

Endogenous pyrogens act at the level of the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis in the central nervous system binding with endothelial receptors on vessel walls or interacting with local microglial cells.

This binding induces the arachidonic acid pathway and the synthesis of prostaglandins which are considered to be the central mediators of the coordinated responses leading to fever.

Multiple pathways may be involved in the induction of fever by cytokines including, for example, local cytokine production leading to signalling through vagal fibres, the use of membrane bound cytokines as mediators and the release of cytokines by the hypothalamus by circulating active monocytes.

Also, there are bacterial products which can stimulate cytokine production directly at the level of the hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus activates physiologic and behavioural activities that influence heat production, heat loss and heat gain. Signals sent to the dorsomedial hypothalamus and rostral raphe pallidus nucleus in the medulla oblongata lead to the stimulation of the autonomic nervous system (e.g. shivering and hormones such as adrenaline, increased heart rate and prevention of heat loss from the skin).

The autonomic nervous system may also activate brown adipose tissue in newborns to produce heat (nonshivering thermogenesis).

It is thought that the innervation from the preoptic area to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus mediates the neuroendocrine effects of fever through the pathway involving the pituitary gland and various endocrine organs.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

TheVeterinarian

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Clinical Review Conditions associated with fever ■ infectious disease (e.g., gastroenteritis) ■ heatstroke ■ tissue destruction (e.g., surgery, injury, cerebral haemorrhage) ■ blood transfusion ■ inflammatory skin conditions (e.g., abscess, flea allergy dermatitis) ■ immunological diseases (e.g., lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease) ■ cancer (e.g., leukaemia, lymphoma) drug reactions such as: ● an adverse reaction (e.g., antibiotics) ● after drug discontinuation (e.g. heroin in humans) ■ metabolic disorders ■ thrombo-embolic processes (e.g., deep vein thrombosis in humans) Variations in body temperature are normal The accepted range for the human body is 36.1oC to 37.5oC and this is for a healthy, non-fasting adult, dressed comfortably, situated indoors in a room that is kept at a normal room temperature (22.7oC to 24.4oC) during the morning, but not shortly after arising from sleep.

Normal body temperature varies greatly between animals. For example, small rodents such as the house mouse 37.0oC, dogs and cats 39oC, horses 38.0oC, cattle 38.5oC (calf 39.5oC), pigs 39.0oC (piglet 39.8oC) and chickens 42oC. Body temperatures may be 1oC above or below these figures depending on the animal.

In the camel, the normal body temperature (34.5oC to 41oC) varies with the time of the day and availability of water. When a camel is watered each day, its body temperature increases from 36.5oC in the morning to 39.5oC at noon.

In humans, body temperature normally fluctuates during the day, with the lowest levels being around 4.00am and the highest around 6.00pm. It can vary as much as 0.6oC between individuals or from day to day. In healthy individuals, body temperature varies in relation to several environmental and biological factors such as time of day, site of temperature measurements, level of physical activity, age, sex and race, and others such as eating, drinking and psychological factors.

In women, the basal or ‘at rest’ temperature differs at various points in the menstrual cycle and this is used for fertility monitoring.

Ovulation causes a slight increase in the basal temperature (up to 0.5oC after ovulation) and it stays elevated until menstruation occurs, when it drops to start a new cycle. If the person is pregnant, the basal temperature remains elevated for the first trimester of the pregnancy.

After the first trimester, the woman's body temperature drops to her pre-ovulatory normal as the placenta takes over functions previously performed by the corpus luteum.

Hyperthermia Fever is not the same as hyperthermia.

Hyperthermia is an increase in body temperature above the normal range due to abnormal and unregulated heat production (e.g., heatstroke, exercise-induced hyperthermia, malignant hyperthermia, seizure, adverse drug reaction). The hypothalamic set-point is not altered.

Hyperthermia may result in body temperatures of 41.1oC while most patients with fever have body temperatures in the range 39.5oC to 41.1oC. Fever can be differentiated from hyperthermia by the patient’s clinical history and response to anti-pyretic medication/s.

Hyperthermia is also a type of cancer-treatment in which body tissue is heated to as high as 45oC to help damage and kill cancerous cells, with little or no harm to the normal tissues – this is called thermal therapy, thermal ablation or thermotherapy. Techniques include lasers, ultrasound, radio waves and perfusion, and are usually used in conjunction with other treatment modalities such as chemotherapy and radiation.

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Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an inherited, potentially fatal pharmacogenetic disorder of skeletal muscle calcium regulation. It is characterised by rapid and/or sudden increase in body temperature, muscle contraction and potentially, death. Other clinical signs include muscle fasciculation, muscle rigidity, tachypnoea, tachycardia, arrhythmia, bluish tinge to skin and mucous membranes, myoglobinuria, unstable blood pressure, metabolic acidosis, fluid buildup in the lungs, impaired blood coagulation and renal failure.

MH has been reported in pigs (Pietrains, Poland China and Landrace are highly susceptible), dogs (Greyhounds, Pointers, Labrador Retrievers, Saint Bernards, Springer Spaniels, Bichon Frises, Golden Retrievers and Border Collies), cats and horses. Pigs and humans seem to be most susceptible, with the onset and severity of clinical signs varying between species.

MH is difficult to recognise in horses as it can be hard to distinguish between other myopathies associated with anaesthesia; the clinical signs are slow to develop and often occur only after 3 hours of anaesthesia.

a crisis situation. The IVCT requires a muscle biopsy sample and is based on muscle fibre contracture in response to triggering agents such as halothane or caffeine. It is expensive, and may produce false-positive, false-negative, and equivocal results. The alternative, genetic screening via DNA analysis, is preferred. The blood is screened for the RYR1 mutation, and an animal is diagnosed as being MH susceptible if 1 of the 34 known causative mutations is detected.

However, an IVCT is still required to exclude MH susceptibility in case of an unclassified RYR1 mutation or if RYR1 mutation is absent. A mutation’s pathophysiologic impact with regard to initiating a MH episode remains unclear.

MH episodes usually come on suddenly and are very severe. If the condition is recognised early in an animal under anaesthesia, supportive measures may be able to save the animal.

Dantrolene (1-3 mg/kg IV), a specific ryanodine receptor antagonist, is effective for treatment, and can be used as a prophylactic prior to anaesthesia at 5-10 mg/kg PO. Azaperone at 0.5-2 mg/kg IM has been shown to prevent MH due to halothane in susceptible Pietrain

In susceptible animals, MH can be triggered by excitement, apprehension, exercise, or stress. Administration of certain anaesthetics or specific drugs that affect the neurologic and muscular systems can also trigger MH in susceptible animals, these include the halogenated inhalation anaesthetics (halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane) and depolarising neuromuscular blocking drugs such as succinylcholine. Both halothane and succinylcholine are regarded as potent triggering agents In pigs, MH is also known as porcine stress syndrome. Both parents must carry the mutant chromosome for the autosomal recessive gene to result in clinical expression in offspring.

In dogs and humans, the mutant autosomal gene is dominant, so that a single copy of the mutant chromosome carried by either parent can result in clinical expression in the offspring.

In humans, the incidence rate has been estimated to range from 1 in 5000 anaesthetic events to 1 in 100,000 anaesthetic events.

Diagnosis is on the development of clinical signs, which can develop slowly or rapidly.

Animals that are not under anaesthesia may show open-mouthed breathing and increased respiratory rate, followed by a temporary break in breathing. Blanching and redness of the skin followed by blotchy blue tinges can be seen in light-coloured animals. Body temperature increases rapidly and can reach 45oC. Laboratory tests (in vitro contracture test (IVCT) or DNA analysis) have been developed to help identify animals susceptible to MH, but they are not useful for diagnosis of MH in

pigs; acepromazine has been shown to reduce the incidence of MH in pigs. Symptomatic and supportive therapy is important. However, regardless of treatment, MH is often fatal Any animal who survives a MH episode should be closely monitored for 48-72 hours as about 25 per cent of survivors may experience a recurrence of the episode. They should also be tested for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) which results when the body temperature exceeds 41oC, and urine should be collected for analysis to monitor for myoglobinuric renal failure due to severe muscle damage.

Stress needs to be minimised to prevent MH episodes in individual animals. If an animal that is suspected to be susceptible to MH (or that has survived a previous episode) needs anaesthesia and surgery, precautions should be taken before anaesthesia, including the administration of dantrolene and keeping all procedures as short as possible. MH happens most often when the animal has been under anaesthesia for longer than 1 hour.

Hyperthermia (heat stress and heat stroke) in dogs and cats Dogs release heat by panting and by sweating through paw pads and nose. If they are unable to cool themselves sufficiently, their internal body temperature begins to rise and they become hyperthermic. There are three different types of hyperthermia - heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. These terms are often used interchangeably but the conditions are very different and vary in severity. Heat stress is the less severe JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 TheVeterinarian 21

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Clinical Review and at this stage, dogs will show increased thirst and panting. If the dog is unable to regulate their body temperature, the heat stress may progress to heat exhaustion (heavy panting, weakness and episodes of collapse) and then, finally, to heat stroke.

Clinical signs of heat stroke include excessive panting, stupor, staggering gait, vomiting, seizures, diarrhoea, dark or bright red tongue and gingiva, ptyalism, coma and death.

Brachycephalic dogs, large breeds with thick coats, overweight dogs and those with respiratory or heart problems are at increased risk.

Treatment 1. for heat stress. move the dog to a shaded spot (or airconditioned room), offer fresh cool water, and let the dog rest. Don’t place wet towels over the body as it will trap the heat in and not allow it to escape. Wetting the coat with a hose or bucket will assist in cooling the dog down, as will a fan blowing over the damp coat.

2. for heat stroke, bathe the dog in cool to lukewarm water; not very cold water as this will cause constriction of the blood vessels and impede cooling. Keep an eye on the dog’s core temperature and do not allow it to decrease below 39.4oC because some animals can become hypothermic. Ice-cubes are useful for an animal to lick.

A thorough veterinary examination including blood tests are recommended to check the function of the internal organs. Disseminated intravascular coagulation, for example, can be a secondary complication.

Cats are not usually affected by heat stroke because they are less likely (than dogs) to be trapped in hot areas (e.g., cars). To stay cool, cats tend to move to areas such as tiled floors, sinks or tubs; self-grooming can imitate sweating and provide some cooling. Cats do not normally pant until they are already in distress. It is best not to shave a cat’s fur to keep them cool as it keeps the cat both warm and cool – and decreases the risk of sunburn.

Similarly to dogs, young, aged or sick individuals are more susceptible to heatstroke because they are less capable of regulating their temperatures than are healthy adults. In addition, short-nosed cats like Persians may have compromised airways and are more sensitive to heat. Overweight and obese cats are also more prone to overheating.

It's important that high-risk cats remain in temperature-regulated indoor areas.

Treatments involve moving the cat to a shaded, cool spot (or airconditioned room) and offering fresh cool water, but many cats will resist drinking water when they are overheated.

Use cool to lukewarm water to soak a towel and place the cat on it. Don’t wrap the cat in the towel as it will trap the heat, and change/refresh the towel when it becomes warm. Gently apply cool water onto the cat’s coat and use a fan to blow over the coat if possible. Monitor the cat’s body temperature and stop when at 39.7oC. A thorough veterinary examination is recommended, with or without blood tests, even if the cat appears to be normal. Additional supportive treatments may be necessary for rehydration, regulation of body temperature or if internal organs have been damaged.

Preventative measures for dogs and cats include: restricting exercise on warm days (i.e. early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day), taking water on walks for pets, regular grooming, and having continual access to drinking water (adding ice can help keep it cool). Hot pavements can burn paws, so check with your own hand and if the pavement is too hot to hold your hand on, it is too hot for your pet to walk on.

Heat stress and horses Horses are vulnerable to heat stress. Horses sweat to cool themselves in hot weather and during exercise or periods of stress, such as a float ride. The ■ www.theveterinarian.com.au

evaporation of sweat cools the horse. The harder the horse works (or the hotter the weather), the more the horse sweats. Horses can lose 65 to 70 per cent of their body heat through sweating.

Environmental humidity reduces sweat evaporation.

A horse can produce more than twice as much sweat as can a human per square inch of skin, and during intense exercise (cross-country, polo, endurance racing) the horse can lose 10 to15 litres of fluid in an hour through sweat and through water vapor that is exhaled with each breath. On a hot, dry day, sweat may evaporate almost as quickly as it forms, and the horse may lose a large amount of fluid without it being noticeable.

A horse with anhidrosis is often called a “nonsweater”, and this condition may put a horse at risk for hyperthermia or heat stroke. Anhidrosis in horses is defined as the absence of an adequate amount of sweat, which may result in severe clinical signs if the horse if worked during hot environmental conditions.

Anhidrosis is frequently performance limiting.

The cause is not well defined but is believed to involve overstimulation of the sweat glands by stress hormones. The most common form of anhidrosis is incomplete or partial anhidrosis.

Anhidrosis is relatively easily managed (e.g., electrolyte supplementation, cold hosing, misters, fans) but is often extremely challenging to cure.

Fever of unknown origin is a persistent fever (i.e., does not resolve spontaneously within the time period expected for a self-limiting infection) which cannot be explained. In human medicine it is defined specifically as a fever that occurs on several occasions over at least three weeks and where the diagnosis remains unclear after an initial diagnostic workup.

In many cases, the cause of a fever of unknown origin is a common disease with an unusual presentation. Mair et al (1989) reviewed 63 cases of fever of unknown origin in the horse, and concluded that the most common cause was infection, which was responsible for 43 per cent of the cases, followed by neoplasms (22 per cent of cases), immune-mediated diseases (6.5 per cent), and miscellaneous diseases such as toxic hepatopathy, parasitism, and others (19 per cent). No diagnosis was made in 9.5 per cent of cases. The three criteria used in the review to define fever of unknown origin were: illness of at least 3 weeks’ duration associated with nonspecific signs; body temperature of at least 38.6oC on several occasions; and no clear diagnosis after an initial complete blood count and serum biochemical profile.

The most common conditions identified in the study were abdominal infections (peritonitis/abdominal abscessation) and lymphosarcoma, each accounting for approximately 16 per cent of cases. Pneumonia, pleuropneumonia, or both were found in 11 per cent of cases. Three horses (about five per cent) were found to have bacterial endocarditis, and in each case a murmur was not identified initially but developed within several weeks of the onset of illness.

In other species, the most common causes of fever of unknown origin are: ● dogs – infectious, immune-mediated and neoplastic diseases ● cats – infectious disease ● farm animals – infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Diagnosis of fever of unknown origin can be difficult and requires a systematic approach with an emphasis on the evaluation of infectious disease. And even then, a specific diagnosis may not be possible.

Treatment options include chemotherapeutic agent such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antifungals and immunosuppressive therapy (usually with corticosteroids). Supportive therapy with intravenous fluids and antipyretic drugs

such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will help alleviate clinical signs of dehydration, anorexia, and lethargy.

Drug-induced fever is an elevation in body temperature in the days or weeks following the use of a new medication. The fever most commonly occurs after 7 to 10 days of drug administration, persists as long as the drug is continued, disappears soon after stopping the drug, and reoccurs if the drug is restarted.

The fever may be a result of the pharmacological action of the drug or some other unrelated effect. Fever can be the sole manifestation in three to five per cent of adverse drug reactions.

Drugs known to cause fever include antimicrobials, anticonvulsants, antibiotics, sympathomimetics and sulphonamides. Familial predisposition to drug hypersensitivity has been observed, particularly for renal dysfunction or if the patient is also on thiazide diuretics.

Some common drugs that induce fever are listed here (by mechanism): ● hypersensitivity – anticonvulsants, penicillin, minocycline, sulphonamide, allopurinol ● altered thermoregulatory mechanisms – thyroxine, anticholinergics, amphetamines, cocaine ● related to administration – paraldehyde, pentazocine, amphotericin B, bleomycin ● extension of pharmacologic action – chemotherapy ● idiosyncratic – succinylcholine, haloperidol, serotonergic.

The risk of drug-induced fever occurring increases with the number of medications taken concurrently, and particularly in older patients.

Humans with active HIV infection are at greater risk of developing drug-induced fever, as are those people with cystic fibrosis particularly from use of parenteral beta-lactams, piperacillin, and imipenem/cilastatin.

Is fever beneficial?

Fever has a constructive role in the body’s immune response to infection, which includes creating an environment that is harmful for some pathogens. White blood cells proliferate more rapidly with increased mobility and phagocytotic activity, and there is also increased proliferation of T-cells and enhanced interferon activity, while the effects of endotoxin are decreased.

It is important to remember that fever is just one part of the acute phase response in mammals; the other parts being anorexia, changes in blood flow to body organs, inhibition of gastrointestinal function and synthesis of hepatic acute phase proteins. So, it is prudent to consider the merits of any drug/s you are considering administering with respect to drug disposition (i.e., efficacy, side-effects, residues), and the route of administration, dosage and withdrawal time should be adjusted according to the severity of the disease.

As an example, Agrawal et al (2001) reported on the administration of amikacin at 10 mg/kg by intramuscular injection to normal and experimentally induced febrile goats. The plasma drug concentrations were significantly higher in the febrile goats at most of the measured time intervals. Various pharmacokinetic parameters including half-life, volume of distribution and area under the curve, were significantly higher whereas total body clearance was significantly lower in the febrile goats. The authors concluded that the clinical relevance of these findings was lower doses of amikacin at longer time intervals may be advisable in febrile goats to maintain the therapeutic level.

Should fever itself be treated?

Antipyretic drugs are used to alleviate the fever, malaise and/or pain commonly associated with disease and other afflictions such as teething. To page 25 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 TheVeterinarian 23

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Advances in equine welfare at every level: owning, training and riding Explores welfare issues caused by less-than-ideal housing and advances in thinking on the importance of a basic understanding of the equine ethogram and of learning theory in training and the relative stress of using positive or negative reinforcement.

Introduction Because so many owners are unwilling or do not perceive the need to change from tried and truetraditions, many methods of housing, training and riding place a considerable amount of unnecessarystress upon horses and thus have become prominent welfare concerns.

A variety of the interactionshumans have with horses, particularly riding, fall outside the natural equine ethogram (McGreevy et al., 2009), thus we are expecting the horse to make significant behavioural changes. Understanding natural horse behaviour and learning theory is imperative for all those involved with horses – not justthe riders – in order to improve equine welfare (Hawson et al., 2010).

Discussion Housing is a basic element of horse ownership, but there is yet to be a consensus on what is best. A study conducted by Lee et al. (2011) aimed to assess the motivations and preferences of stalled horses for turnout and exercise and whether these preferences changed with no turnout for 48 hours. Nine mares (aged 10-19) were trained using operant conditioning to test the motivation for turnout (release, food or companionship). A further nine horses (aged 3-15) were given a two-choice preference test to assess preference for returning to their stalls or engaging in 20 minutes of treadmill exercise. Eight horses (median age 11.5 years) were also given a two-choice test to assess preference for returning to their stalls or being turned out (in isolation or in a group).

This preference was also measured after 48 hours of stabling without turnout. The authors found that the primary motivation for release was food. Interestingly, they showed that while horses prefer voluntary exercise (i.e., turnout) for at least 15 minutes, most choose staying in their stalls over forced exercise (i.e., treadmill work) for 20 minutes.

Perhaps the most interesting and unexpected result was that after 48 hours in stalls, horses preferred to spend longer turned out in a group but show no such compensatory behaviour when turned out alone. While many people avoid housing or turning out horses in groups because of predicted aggressive behaviour (Hartmann et al., 2012), perceived From page 23

Alleviating pain and stress for the animal patient is an important part of the healing process.

Even when lambs or foals are teething for example and have a fever, are looking listless and/or off their food, a single dose of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug can markedly improve their overall wellbeing.

The drugs most commonly used are the nonsteroidal antipyretic analgesics, many of which also have an anti-inflammatory effect. The primary mode of action of these drugs as antipyretics is inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase and a consequent reduction of prostanoid material in pyrogen-sensitive areas of the brain. In human medicine, they are often used alone or combined with other medications in several cold, flu and sinus products to help relieve fever, aches and pains.

■ www.theveterinarian.com.au

red ball, narrow passage) in a single test. Each horse underwent the same test with three different, randomly selected riders (21 riders total). The heart rate and heart rate variability of horse and rider were measured throughout testing and the behavioural score of the horse recorded for each rider and object. The horserider combination was graded as a “match” or “mismatch” on the basis of discomfort behaviours exhibited by the horse (e.g., ears turned backwards). The results showed that “matching” horse-rider combinations significantly reduced the horse’s heart rate and discomfort behaviours, effectively reducing apparent stress in a horse presented with a novel situation. Where the rider matched the horse, responses arose from consistent signals, whereas mismatches reflected an inability of the rider to respond to the horse’s behaviour, with subsequent inappropriate timing and use of cues. The correct use of cues and particularly of negative reinforcement are a current focus of equine welfare research and education (McGreevy & McLean, 2009). As shown in this study, the ability of a rider to respond to a horse’s behaviour and use cues promptly and appropriately can greatly influence the amount of stress placed upon the animal in an unfamiliar situation. Thus constant diligence and continued training of the rider are important in ensuring equine welfare and rider safety.

risk of injury or decreased motivation/willingness to perform ( Werhahn et al., 2012), this and other studies show that group housing can significantly benefit horses. These benefits include progressing further in training (Søndergaard & Ladewig, 2004), demonstrating “natural” behaviours, showing no stereotypies (Visser et al., 2008; Heleski et al., 2002), and promoting an “urge to move” during exercise (Werhahn et al., 2012). Thus these conclusions have significance in the design and decisions regarding equine housing and turnout, particularly in group arrangements.

While housing can impact how a horse performs during training, the training method itself is also vital. A study by Hendriksen et al.

(2011) analysed the effectiveness and relative stress of using positive versus negative reinforcement in training. Twelve horses (aged 7-20) with a history of trailer-loading issues were trained to load, six with negative reinforcement (pressure from lead rope/whip) and six with positive reinforcement (food = primary reinforcer, clicker = secondary reinforcer).

Heart rate was measured and discomfort behaviour (eye and nostril widening, tail whipping and avoidance) observed throughout each training session. The results showed that while heart rate was similar between treatments, discomfort behaviour was significantly higher in negatively reinforced horses. In addition, the total time taken to train horses was shorter using positive reinforcement. These results suggest that horses trained with positive reinforcement learn faster, with less stress, creating a calm and motivated horse that is less likely to be dangerous ( Heleski et al., 2008). These results are widely mirrored (Heleski et al., 2008; Innes & McBride, 2008; Sankey et al., 2010) and support the movement away from incorrectly administered negative reinforcement (McGreevy & McLean, 2009) in favour of positive reinforcement when easily applicable in training.

Arguably the most important and complex elements of horse welfare involve interactions between horse and rider. Munsters et al. (in press) aimed to quantify the influence of the rider on the horse when encountering a challenging object. Sixteen horses (average age 14) faced three “challenging objects” (blue sail,

■ TAYLOR PINI

Selected References Agrawal AK, Singh SD and Jayachandran C (2001) Effect of fever on pharmacokinetics and dosage regime of intramuscularly administered amikacin in goats. Journal of Veterinary Science.

2(2): 91-96.

Das S (2020) Hypohidrosis. Available at https:// www.msdmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/sweating-disorders/hypohidrosis) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fever (accessed January 2022).

Lin H (2020)https://www.msdvetmanual.com/ dog-owners/metabolic-disorders-of-dogs/malignant-hyperthermia-in-dogs (accessed December 2021) Netea MG, Kullberg BJ and Van der Meer JW (2000). Circulating cytokines as mediators of fever. Clinical Infectious Diseases 31; Supplement 5:S178-84.

Mair TS, Taylor FG and Pinsent PJ (1989) Fever of unknown origin in the horse: a review of 63 cases. Equine Veterinary Journal 21:260.

Mallicote M (2021) https://aaep.org/horsehealth/understanding-anhidrosis (accessed January 2022) Ogoina D (2011) Fever, fever patterns and diseases called ‘fever’ – a review. https://www. sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187603 4111000256 (accessed December 2021) Warner A and Mayhew IG (1983) Equine anhidrosis: a review of pathophysiologic mechanisms. Veterinary Research Communications.

September 6(4):249-64 www.circadian.org/animal.html (accessed December 2021) www.fao.org/docrep/t0690e/t0690e04.htm (accessed December 2021).

Conclusions The welfare of the horse is influenced by many factors, from stabling to contact with the rider.

Studies regarding the preference of horses for group turnout and its benefits mark a significant step forward in understanding the best arrangements for horse housing. On the next level, research into the value of positive reinforcement has provided important information for trainers to consider, and prompted many researchers to develop and implement practical reward systems (Warren-Smith & McGreevy, 2007). Finally, studies into the complex horserider dyad reinforce the importance of a basic understanding of learning theory and the equine ethogram to promote a higher standard of both horse welfare and rider safety. To page 30

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 TheVeterinarian 25

... saliva

testing for FIV

antibodies in a clinic or shelter setting is often easier to perform than blood testing...

... lymphocyte numbers gradually decline, causing progressive

dysfunction of the immune system...

... 83%

of cats in Australia currently have, or have had, some level of access to the outdoors...

...the importance of

management and housing conditions on the outcomes of FIV infection...

Expert panel addresses the HOT TOPIC

of

FIV

Despite the passage of over 30 years since its discovery, the importance of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection on health and longevity still remains a hotly debated topic. However, thanks to the dedicated work of a team of feline and infectious disease experts, Australian veterinarians now have access to part one of the Australian Feline Retrovirus Management Guidelines covering FIV. Find out what all the chatter is about - download your copy from Animal Health Academy or use the QR code below.

Dr Mark Westman (Panel Chairperson)

Dr Sally Coggins

Dr Moira van Dorsselaer

Prof Richard Malik

Prof Jacqueline Norris

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Scan this code or log in at www.animalhealthacademy.com.au to download part one of the Australian Feline Retrovirus Management Guidelines. When registering for Animal Health Academy for the first time, please use the access code: myAcademy Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Australia Pty. Ltd. Level 1, 78 Waterloo Road, North Ryde NSW 2113.

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The Veterinarian Product Review

Advanced Ultrasound Imaging With The Vetus E7 BCF Ultrasound is proud to present the all new Vetus E7 from Mindray - the first ever portable ultrasound system powered by the new cuttingedge Zone Sonography Technology (ZST+) platform and featuring the iScanHelper, a unique smart scanning assistant.

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The Vetus E7 Advanced also includes advanced cardiac software, such as Continuous Wave Doppler (CWD), Tissue Doppler Imaging (TVI, TEI, TVD, TVM), Tissue Tracking with Quantitative Analysis, Automatic Ejection Fraction Measurement and Free Xros M (Anatomical M-mode).

The revolutionary, software-based beamformer technology, ZST+, ensures the Vetus E7 System combines best-in-class image quality with an intuitive user experience to help ensure reliable and efficient diagnosis during the most challenging exams in the most challenging of patients. It allows for finer image detail at faster frame rates, better and deeper penetration and eliminates the need for focal zones by producing a completely focused image on screen. iScanHelper: The Vetus E7 also features the unique iScanHelper, a built-in tutorial software providing real time, easy access to reference images and technical ultrasound tips while you scan.

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The Vetus E7 is a next generation portable ultrasound machine that is packed with advanced features previously only seen in advanced cart based systems. Packaged with a simple workflow, dedicated design and complete veterinary solution, the Vetus E7 is the ideal ultrasound system for your everyday practice.

With a large range of transducer options (including multiple phased array cardiac probes), this system can accommodate all animal species, from large horses to tiny reptiles (and cats and dogs in between).

Included in the system is a Shared Service Package which allows imaging options for abdomen, cardiac, small parts, vascular and reproduction work.

Available in both a Basic and an Advanced configuration with standard features in both including Colour Doppler, Power Doppler, Pulse Wave Doppler as well as iNeedle (for needle visualization enhancement) and iScape View (real time Panoramic Imaging).

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www.theveterinarian.com.au

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 TheVeterinarian 27

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BUSINESS

Human-quality supplements in new pet product Australian start-up People for Pets has launched a unique new brand Nectar of the Dogs – slurpable medicinal water supplements made in Australia with high-quality, humangrade, plant-based ingredients to support your pooch’s health.

“We’re experts in supplements for dogs and people. With Nectar, we’ve created a range of products that we wanted for our own dogs, with each ingredient painstakingly formulated to deliver maximum benefit, based on clinical evidence in dogs that tastes amazing,” Nectar of the Dogs Founder, Gabriel Perera, said.

“All our products are plant-based and made in human-grade, certified organic manufacturing facilities here in Australia. We’re setting a new global standard for pet supplements by giving pet parents like us an incredible product at a price that makes it easy to give our dogs the very best.”

Nectar applies over 20 years of Perera’s experience in premium human and dog supplements with brands such as Blackmores,

BioCeuticals and Pure Animal Wellbeing.

Partnering with other natural health experts, veterinarians, food technologists and dog lovers, Nectar launched their first five tasty formulations aimed to assist pet parents with the top health concerns for today’s dogs, including joints, immune system, calming the nervous system, and supporting skin health, gut, and digestive system.

Traditional dog supplements are often made in unpalatable capsules and tablets full of fillers, binders and ingredients with few or unsubstantiated health benefits. Instead, Nectar was created in the form of a liquid to be bioavailable, with human-grade ingredients and no binders or fillers for better and faster absorption.

More than just a healthy dog supplement brand, plant-based and Australian-made Nectar is better for the Planet, too – committed to lowering its carbon footprint and its impact on the environment as conventional pet food production releases over 106 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. In a strategic move to create environmental change, Nectar’s plant-based formulas are carefully packaged in recyclable and compostable packaging, avoiding any singleuse plastics.

For further information, visit www.nectarofthedogs. com.au.

Thoroughbred temperature testing breakthrough announced A pioneering equine temperature testing technology, the StableWizard Temperature Wand, has been launched for the StableWizard equine welfare management platform. The system will halve the time for a handler to collect critical temperature information.

The system instantaneously transmits results to the trainer, automatically filtering information and raising alerts for elevated temperatures with an inbuilt exemption-based program.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI), the system is designed to assess the latest temperature reading against pre-set rules and all temperature records captured for an individual horse. Immediate notification of an abnormal result enables timely intervention by a trainer preventing unwell horses from being worked or raced when they shouldn’t be.

The transformative device delivers the capability to sync a digital equine thermometer with the StableWizard platform, resulting in accurate and accessible temperature information transmitted in real time directly to the trainer, anywhere.

“The team has been intensely focused on developing this digital solution for one of the more dangerous aspects of horse welfare – taking temperatures,” StableWizard’s Co-founder and Head of Research, Mark Kay,

said. “Not only is this an improvement for handlers, but a thoroughbred’s temperature is a very critical indicator of health so we can really improve welfare management with accurate and timely data.”

Kay said the automation of data entry from the location-aware device, identifying the box number, the horse, the location, and the temperature, eliminated potential human error from manual entry, vastly improving results.

“There is no requirement for any reading or temperature recording by the operator as the Wand automatically records and stores all the information. The captured results are then uploaded to the cloud by the Wand for the StableWizard rules-based engine to determine out of normal readings based on the average temperature of each horse.”

The product is both designed and manufactured in Australia.

The thermometer is digitally linked to the platform for data capture and can be displayed on any device. To capture the temperature a handler taps the device to a tag on the horse’s box then inserts the device to take the temperature in seconds without needing to write anything down.

The information automatically sent to the platform records the time the temperature was taken and result for each horse, as well as the

ambient temperature and humidity within the barn or can be similarly tagged to the horse in settings outside the barn. It provides robust historical data to vastly improve decision making for a horse’s training and welfare regime.

“We know this is one of the most critical indicators of a horses health and wellbeing.

The more accurate and rapidly we can get this information the better we can care for the animal. This has wide ranging implications for all manner of equine operations beyond thoroughbred stables,” Kay said.

For more information, visit www.stablewizard.com

Jurox appoints new USA Business Manager

Cynthia Merritt

■ www.theveterinarian.com.au

Jurox Inc. announces it has appointed Cynthia Merritt [formerly of England] to succeed Jim Van Proosdy as its U.S. Business Manager.

Merritt is a seven-year veteran of Jurox, previously serving as manager of Inside Sales, Manager of National and Corporate Accounts and Director of Marketing.

During Merritt’s tenure, Jurox has experienced steady growth of its flagship Alfaxan Multidose injectable anesthetic as both sales and customers have more than doubled over the past three years. “Cynthia has succeeded at every task and improved every process with which she’s been involved,” Van Proosdy said. “Her hard work and instincts contributed enormously to our recent success.”

Merritt’s internal sales roots supply her with unique insights into the veterinary customer’s anesthesia needs. She credits in-depth knowledge of veterinarians’ surgical challenges to helping her grow the Alfaxan

franchise. “From the outset, I saw the key was education,” she said. “Everyone, from the Jurox sales team all the way through the veterinary surgical team needed to understand how Alfaxan may improve the anesthetic experience for the patient and the veterinary staff, as well as how strongly Jurox supports veterinary hospitals. Education will remain the cornerstone of how I manage the Jurox business.”

Jurox manufactures Alfaxan Multidose (alfaxalone, 10 mg/mL) and Alfaxan Multidose IDX in its cGMP facility in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Alfaxan is currently distributed to the U.S. veterinary market and to over 25 countries around the world. The company supports the highest standards of medical care by providing innovative anesthetic products and free, convenient access to continuing education via its online platform, Think Anesthesia (thinkanesthesia.education).

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 TheVeterinarian 29

News Welfare charity appoints CEO From page 5

Ennis said she’s honoured to be appointed as CEO as she marks her second anniversary with the charity, celebrating her achievements to date.

“Companion Animal Network Australia launched in October 2020 and today clearly speaks to who we are – it is Australia’s only national

Trish Ennis

Essay From page 25

References Hawson, L.A., Mclean, A.N., McGreevy, P.D. (2010) The roles of equine ethology and applied learning theory in horse-related human injuries. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 5, 324-338.

Heleski, C., Bauson, L., Bello, N. (2008) Evaluating the Addition of Positive Reinforcement for Learning a Frightening Task: A Pilot Study With Horses. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 11, 213-222.

Heleski, C.R., Shelle, A.C., Nielsen, B.D., Zanella, A.J. (2002) Influence of housing on weanling horse behavior and subsequent welfare.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science 78, 291-302.

Hendriksen, P., Elmgreen, K., Ladewig, J. (2011) Trailer-loading of horses: Is there a difference between positive and negative reinforcement concerning effectiveness and stress-related signs? Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 6, 261-266.

Innes, L., Mcbride, S. (2008) Negative versus positive reinforcement: An evaluation of training strategies for rehabilitated horses.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science 112, 357-368.

Lee, J., Floyd, T., Erb, H., Houpt, K. (2011) Preference and demand for exercise in stabled horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 130, 91-100.

McGreevy, P.D., Mclean, A.N. (2009) Punishment in horse-training and the concept of ethical equitation. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 4, 193-197.

McGreevy, P.D., Oddie, C., Burton, F.L., Mclean, A.N. (2009) The horse–human dyad: Can we align horse training and handling activities 30 TheVeterinarian JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

peak body representing companion animals and the industry that works with them,” Ennis said. “With a clear strategic plan to work to, we are now on the path of completing our initiatives. We are here to support the human-animal bond.”

In August 2021, Australia CAN successfully launched www.rent withpets.com.au, which works to decrease the number of pet surrenders due to archaic rental laws, whilst bringing landlords and tenants together.

The organisation’s next major projects include Pets in Aged Care and Pets in Business.

“Australia CAN is currently actively advocating in support of pets in aged care settings as a major priority for the organisation,” she said.

“Older people are often forced to say goodbye to their companion animals when moving into aged-care accommodation, causing immense grief.

The outcomes for their beloved pets vary, including surrender to a shelter. Australia CAN is working with aged care experts to find ways of preserving the bond between people and pets in aged care accommodation.

For more information, visit australia can.org.au. with the equid social ethogram?

The Veterinary Journal 181, 12-18.

Munsters, C.C.B.M., Visser, K.E.K., Van Den Broek, J., Sloet Van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, M.M. (2012) The influence of challenging objects and horse-rider matching on heart rate, heart rate variability and behavioural score in riding horses. The Veterinary Journal.

In press Sankey, C., Richard-Yris, M.-A., Leroy, H., Henry, S., Hausberger, M. (2010) Positive interactions lead to lasting positive memories in horses, Equus caballus. Animal Behaviour 79, 869-875.

Søndergaard, E., Ladewig, J. (2004) Group housing exerts a positive effect on the behaviour of young horses during training. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 87, 105-118.

Visser, E. ., Ellis, A.D., Van Reenen, C.G. (2008) The effect of two different housing conditions on the welfare of young horses stabled for the first time. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 114, 521-533.

Warren-Smith, A.K., Mcgreevy, P.D. (2007) The use of blended positive and negative reinforcement in shaping the halt response of horses (Equus caballus). Animal Welfare 16, 481-488.

Werhahn, H., Hessel, E.F., Van Den Weghe, H.F.A. (2012) Competition Horses Housed in Single Stalls (II): Effects of Free Exercise on the Behavior in the Stable, the Behavior during Training, and the Degree of Stress. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 32, 22-31.

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

WSAVA offers free DEI webinar From page 3

It takes learning, commitment, patience, endurance, and tenacity,” Stoewen said. “And it begins with you and your willingness to embrace the everyday actions you can take.

The time is now.”

The webinar will take place at 1PM GMT, February 22. For more or to join, visit youtu.be/Nqf_OgfQGL8.

Debbie Stoewen Elli Kalemtzaki

TheVeterinarian Sydney Magazine Publishers Pty Ltd ACN 102752787 ISSN 1447-9768 PO Box 305 Millthorpe NSW 2798 Tel: 02 9487 6627 Director - Clem Martin Email: clem.martin@vetmag.com.au Editorial Advisory Board Thomas Donnelly BVSc DipVP DipACLAM Nicholas Kannegieter BVSc DipVetClinStud PhD FACVSc David Lidbetter BVSc MVS FACVSc DipECVS Dip ACVS Angus Martin BVSc Mary Porter BVSc (Hons) MACVSc Jeffrey Smith BVSc FACVSc Dip ACVO David Vella BSc BVSc (Hons) DABVP Editor - Luke Martin Tel: 0418 698 228 Email: luke.martin@vetmag.com.au National Sales Manager James Martin Tel: 0432 575 877 Email: james.martin@vetmag.com.au

Kiwi Post From page 9

was his way of managing that depression and staying on top of his job, keeping things together.

His colleagues recognised the value of this for him and encouraged and supported him in this. And yet his boss, portrayed as Siegfried in his books, committed suicide in his later years. Our crisis doesn’t seem that new.

I’ll miss a great guy at the pool; at conferences and vet functions.

I have no idea what we have to do to be better, but we have to find a way. We have to carve a better profession. And those of us who have better experienced the fragile privilege that is our profession should be the ones to start. For the sakes of our colleagues, partners, families, clients, animals, kids.

Amongst all the challenges our profession faces, there is nothing more important. Please, please: not one more vet.

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Abstracts - free farrowing From page 13

Therefore, the aim of the present review is to compare the productive performance and welfare of sows and their piglets within the farrowing, lactation, and post-weaning period in both traditional and freefarrowing systems, highlighting the differences in these indicators in each of them.

José A Sánchez-Salcedo1, Ariadna Yáñez-Pizaña2 J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2022 Jan 7; 1-11.doi: 10.1080/10888705.2021.

2008935.

1Facultad de Ingeniería En Sistemas de Producción Agropecuaria, Universidad Veracruzana, Acayucan, México.

2Escuela de Ciencias de La Salud, Medicina Veterinaria Y Zootecnia, Universidad Del Valle de México, Coyoacán, México.

Image quality in the BCF article of our November issue does not reflect the image quality of BCF products.

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Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) The largest extant bear species as well as the largest extant land carnivore, the polar bear is a hypercarnivorous animal found largely within the Arctic Circle. Their scientific name means ‘maritime bear’ and relates to the fact that though born on land, polar bears spend most of their time on ice. Because of their dependence on sea ice, the bears are classified as marine mammals. Picture Arturo de Frias Marques

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