Although Tasmania’s spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) used to be plentiful around the island’s southeast coast, a combination of coastal development, invasive species, climate change and fishing practices resulted in such a rapid population decline, in 1996 the elusive species became the first marine fish to be listed as critically endangered. It is estimated fewer than 2000 individuals now remain in the wild.
Since 1997 scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation have monitored nine localised populations of the handfish within the southeast’s River Derwent Estuary, but Gunjan Pandey, Senior research Scientist within CSIRO’s Industry Environmental Program at Canberra’s CSIRO Environment, said the opportunity to sequence the genome of the rare animal arose when a fish in captivity died of natural causes.
“Marine species like the spotted handfish are notoriously difficult to work with. The DNA degrades rapidly and becomes contaminated with microorganisms which makes assembling a pure genome extremely challenging,” he said.
While sequencing the genome will help ongoing efforts to boost population numbers and monitor genetic diversity, including estimating the fish’s lifespan, it will also provide a foundation for a greater understanding of gene
AVA survey reveals student debt rise
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) released the findings from its annual Veterinary Workforce survey in early November.
For the first time, the 2023/24 survey collected and included data on student debt, a topic which has been the focus of media and government attention in the past 12 months, as the industry faces a workforce shortage.
The level of debt carried by graduates has outpaced the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with 62.4 per cent of respondents saying they graduated with debt, at a median figure of $82,640, highlighting the financial pressures faced by new veterinarians.
Lorna Undy is a recent graduate, whose experience illustrates the ongoing issues faced by veterinarians, even well past the point their studies are completed.
“During my studies I lived with a constant financial pressure that was alleviated only by the part time work I committed to … Since graduating my quality of life has significantly improved as I now earn a living wage and can regularly attend the doctor and dentist,” Undy said.
“I do however have a six figure HELP debt that means my ability to save and plan for the future is limited in ways that other professionals are not. At my current rate of repayment on my debt, I won't be free of it before I reach retirement age.”
expression in the daily life of the species, and insights into its evolutionary history.
Carlie Devine, Researcher and Principal Investigator at CSIRO’s Oceans and Atmosphere, who specialises in the conservation and management of the spotted handfish, said the rich genetic information that has been collected will help inform the long-term conservation strategy for the species.
“Conservation measures are expanding to include genetics, and recognising a multidisciplinary
approach alongside ecology research is essential for the effective conservation of threatened species,” she said.
Researchers sequenced the complete genome from a small amount of poor-quality DNA using the method known as ‘low-output protocol’, in collaboration with the Australian National University’s Biomolecular Resource Facility. To page 30
The flow-on effects of such high levels of education debt can be seen in the choices graduates make in their post-study careers.
“Working as I do in a regional area I see the need for veterinarians, but unfortunately, I can completely understand my colleagues who have left regional jobs to pursue more lucrative financial opportunities in their first years as a practitioner. For some people it was the only way they could stay ahead,” Undy said.
The AVA has been vocal in its push for both the federal and state governments to provide debt relief to veterinarian students, calling for the Commonwealth Prac Payment Scheme to be extended to veterinary students who are undertaking mandatory placements, while also advocating for HELP-HECS fee forgiveness to encourage vets to work in rural areas.
Sally Colgan, president of the AVA says making rural placements more accessible will go a long way to encouraging graduates to consider rural opportunities.
“The data suggests that while it’s hard to recruitvets to the country, once vets get out to regional Australia, they realise that rural communities have a lot to offer and they are more inclined to stay,” Colgan says.
■ JULIAGARDINER
Taronga training applications open
Applications are now open for Semester 1 training for Taronga’s Veterinary Professional Training in Wildlife Treatment and Care, commencing 13 January 2025.
Specifically designed for veterinarians and veterinary nurses, the course accredited with the Australian Veterinary Association and the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia for CPD points, and focuses on building the confidence, knowledge and skills required for the triage, first aid, treatment and care of wild Australian species.
The course is made up of a 20-hour component, delivered online, which can be completed over three months, ensuring it is flexible for participants regardless of location and workload.
The course’s five modules have been developed by wildlife veterinarians of the Taronga Wildlife Hospitals and tailored by program partners and include state specific content, focusing on topics including regulation and resources, to diagnosis and care.
An optional practical workshop will be delivered in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, with mock demonstrations on the veterinary treatment and care of wildlife. The workshop will include presentations of real case studies and apply a mock diagnostic investigation covering triage, assessment, To page 30
AVA President Sally Colgan
Picture Rick Stuart Smith
Your diagnosis, their voice.
Through innovation, invention, and strategic partnerships with worldwide leaders in diagnostics, Heska provides the bene ts of latest generation technologies to veterinary professionals. From our ever-growing and wide range of in-house lab and imaging solutions, to outstanding service and support, discover all the ways Heska helps you provide a voice for your patients.
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Badgers’ bTB battle continues
The 2024 British Cattle Veterinary Association (BVCA) Congress held in October included a continued focus on managing the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) between badgers and cattle.
Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial disease, considered a major infectious dese costs to farmers in England are estimated to be in the region of £75 million a year.ase amongst cattle, with costs to farmers in England are estimated to be in the region of 75 million pounds a year.
For the past four years, there has been a largescale vaccination program which saw researchers vaccinate 265 badgers across 12 farms in Cornwall. They found the percentage of badgers testing positive for bTB fell from 16 per cent to zero.
The impact of bTB on cattle herds has been devastating and researchers hope vaccination could provide an alternative solution to the problem of badgers infecting cattle with bTB, after highly controversial mass culls have seen more than 210,000 badgers killed since 2013.
The BCVACongress heard from the director of the vaccination scheme, Nick Pile, who said
that though the vaccination program was meeting its targets, culling should remain an option for helping to tackle the disease.
“While we support badger vaccination, we’re not anti-cull, and it’s important all the control methods are used. Large-scale vaccination is possible but needs to be part of a package of control measures and that should include culling,” Pile said.
Critics says plans for the latest round of culling activity mean it is likely badgers will become extinct in several parts of England.
The Badger Trust has claimed that implementing the plans would make local extinction events “almost inevitable” and has demanded immediate action from ministers, who recently announced the appointment of the UK’s first special representative for nature, Ruth Davis.
“The slaughter of more than half the badger population and the terrible effect on local ecosystems, including local extinction events of badgers after 250,000 years, is something they should be ashamed of,” said Peter Hambly from the Badger Trust.
Rangers key in monitoring Ugandan lions
Traditionally wildlife conservation efforts have largely relied on the use of camera trapping tomonitor species, and to identify the number of individuals in a particular area, but an international study published recently in the journal Nature Communications Biology is one of the first to show wildlife rangers are an underutilised resource in the conservation monitoring toolbox.
The study found that Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, trained in search-encounter surveys, (considered the scientific gold standard for lion monitoring) played a pivotal role in providing precise and reliable conservation data on lion populations in Uganda’sNile Delta.
Because rangers live and work in conservation regions they often have, ‘a deep and intimate knowledge of these areas and the study species of interest’, yet despite being on the front lines of wildlife protection only rarely have rangers been included in scientific research efforts.
The Nile Delta within Uganda’s largest protected area, the Murchison Falls National Park, was identified as being vital for lion conservation after 102 lions were detected by rangers over 76 days. This represented an estimated 13.91 lions per 100km range, highlighting the area as a significant stronghold for lion conservation.
Despite deploying 64 infrared camera traps, the cameras only yielded two usable detections for individual identification, suggesting the use of camera traps, in their current form, were not yet suitable for lion population monitoring. Camera use was also found to be 50 per cent more costly compared to ranger-led initiatives.
Co-author Duan Biggs, an Associate Professor at Northern Arizona University, said the study offered a useful case study for scaling up lion monitoring efforts across Africa, using the invaluable skills of rangers to safeguard the iconic predators.
“Our paper shows that by partnering with in-country conservation agencies and enabling local rangers we can obtain a precise estimate of lion numbers at a fraction of the cost of other techniques,” he said.
Lead author Alex Braczkowski, a conservation biologist at Queensland’sGriffith University, also supported the incorporation of wildlife rangers’ field skills to broaden conservation monitoring methods when surveying lions across Africa, saying it would help ensure more consistent and reliable wildlife data was collected that was critical for adaptive conservation management.
“Rangers are the unsung heroes of wildlife conservation. Our co-authors, Lilian Namukase and Silva Musobozi, have worked for Uganda Wildlife Authority for over a decade and their deeply intimate knowledge of where the lions were in the Murchison landscape allowed us to get a good idea of the status of lions in this critical area. Our study shows bringing rangers into wildlife monitoring and census efforts could be immensely powerful for lions across Africa,” he said.
The Murchison’s Nile Delta region was found to support high lion densities despite significant pressures from poaching and oil exploration, making it a critical priority conservation area.
■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) responded to these claims, saying culling is responsibly controlled.
“Natural England closely monitors badger control operations during cull periods, to ensure local extinction of badgers is avoided and to monitor the humaneness, safety and effectiveness of culls,” a spokesperson for Defra said.
“We are working at pace, rolling out a TB eradication package that will allow us to end the badger cull by the end of this parliament and stop the spread of this horrific disease.”
■ JULIAGARDINER
Sick lizard leads to breakthrough in reptile health
Researchers at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine have solved the riddle of how to accurately measure the pulse rate of reptiles, all thanks to a sick bearded dragon.
While it is typically easy to detect a heart rate in reptiles, checking their pulse rate has proven more difficult, with the scales of some reptiles interfering with the traditional stethoscope, and the defence mechanisms of reptiles like tortoises and turtles to cover their heart when frightened hampering efforts to locate their pulse.
Obtaining both pulse and heart rates is ideal, to provide a more complete cardiovascular examination and it was here that researchers got lucky when a bearded dragon had an aneurysm, which caused the temporoorbital arteryat the back of its head to become enlarged.
Corresponding author of the study, NicolaDi Girolamo explained that a common instrument found in most veterinary clinics was able to detect apulse rate when placed on the temporoorbital artery.
“You could put the [ultrasonic Doppler flow detector] there, and you would hear the pulse rate very well,” Di Girolamo said.
“We thought it was only happening because the vessel was so distended, but then we checked another bearded dragon kind of randomly in the same area, and we realized that it had the pulse there.”
The same method found the pulse in the same location with leopard geckos, turtles, tortoises and snakes.
The researchers decided to test the method further, conducting their study on ball pythons, and of the 40 snakes used in the study, To page30
News from across the network
Latest updates from Australia’s largest specialty and emergency veterinary network
SA
New Greencross Vet Centre in Norwood
The new Greencross Vet Centre in Norwood is now open! Conveniently located on 102 Magill Road, Norwood, the centre is co-located with the Adelaide Veterinary Services and Referral Centre (AVSARC), bringing together general practice, 24/7 emergency services and referral services in one location. With a team of dedicated and highly qualified veterinarians, including dermatology led by Dr. Andrew Carter, this new colocation provides high-quality care for both routine visits and complex cases.
For referrals or enquiries contact (08) 8132 0533
NSW
Anaesthesia at Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) Homebush
ARH Homebush is pleased to welcome Dr. Justin Grace BVSc (University of Pretoria), MMedVet Anaesth (University of Pretoria) ECVAA board eligible. Dr. Grace brings extensive experience in regional, neuro, neonatal, and wildlife anaesthesia. His background includes academic positions at leading universities in South Africa and Australia, and professional expertise developed through work in the UK and USA at leading referral and research institutions.
Dr. Grace is available for cases requiring advanced anaesthetic care, including high-risk patients, complex surgeries and diagnostics that demand precise anaesthetic management. His addition strengthens ARH Homebush’s commitment to providing comprehensive support for critical and intricate cases.
For referrals or enquiries contact (02) 9758 8666
VIC
Neurology service at Greencross Vet Hospital (GVH)
Greencross Vet Hospital’s Neurology department is proud to offer some of Australia's most advanced imaging capabilities, supporting the diagnosis and management of complex neurological conditions. Its state-of-the-art imaging suite includes a high-resolution 3 Tesla MRI for exceptionally detailed brain and spinal cord imaging and a 128-slice CT scanner for precise cross-sectional imaging in complex cases.
The neurology team includes Dr. Alex Hamilton, who has expertise in spinal surgery and inflammatory brain disease, and Dr. Samantha Gilbert, who has an interest in idiopathic epilepsy management. These industryleading tools and the expertise of its team make GVH a trusted partner for veterinarians seeking advanced neurological care for their patients.
For referrals or enquiries contact (03) 8721 1414
Netherlands seeking source of new bluetongue variant
Anew variant of the bluetongue virus has been identified in a sheep in the Netherlands village of Kockengen. The European Bluetongue Reference Laboratory in Madrid confirmed that the animal in question was infected with BTV-12.
Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a noncontagious, viral disease affecting
domestic and wild ruminants (primarily sheep and including cattle, goats, buffalo, antelope, deer, elk and camels) that is transmitted by insects, particularly biting midges.
Some animals may show signs of a swollen, bluish-coloured tongue; however, this symptom is not always present and cannot be relied upon to diagnose bluetongue disease.
While the severity of the virus varies amongst species, the World Organisation for Animal Health reports that the greatest impact is typically seen in sheep, with the virus resulting in deaths, weight loss and disruption in wool growth. Mortality averages from two to 30 per cent, reaching as high as 70 per cent, while in highly susceptible sheep, morbidity can be as high as 100 per cent.
Following the detection of BTV-12 in the sheep in Kockengen, eight ruminants in the immediate vicinity
were tested and one of these animals, a cow, also proved positive for BTV-12.
The Agriculture, Fishery, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) minister, Femke Wiersma, ordered that all bluetongue-positive samples submitted for testing since September 1, to be analysed again and checked for the presence of BTV-12.
There has been no confirmation asto the origin of the new variant, or how far it has spread.
“[We do not] know where BTV-12 occurs other than the two positive cases we have identified thus far,” said Melle Holwerda, a virologist from the National Reference Laboratory.
While strains of BTV are endemic innorthern and eastern Australia, BTV cannot infect people and there are no food safety issues, with meat and dairy products safe to consume; however some interna-
Horse trainers charged with mistreating animals
AnABC News investigative report 18 months ago, and a report released earlier this year, found Tasmanian harness trainers Ben and Tim Yole had breached Australian Harness Rules both through mistreatment of horses, and involvement in race fixing. The report prompted an Independent Stewards Panel to be established to examine the accuracy of these accusations. The findings led to the
Yole brothers being charged in early October with animal abuse.
During Tasmania’s budget estimates hearings in late September the Minister for Racing Jane Howlett, was grilled by Labor’s shadow racing minister Luke Edmunds about reasons for the delay in releasing the final report, in addition to suggestions she had provided personal support to Ben Yole. This included an invitation to
call her, ‘if there was anything he needed’, which Edmunds claimed could be construed as a conflict of interest.
Tasmania’s racing industry has been under fire for months over allegations of cruelty by trainers in the state’s racing industry to both horses and greyhounds.
Despite the damning assessments that were included in the interim report released ten months ago no
tional countries only source livestock from BTV-free zones, which can have an economic impact for primary producers in regions where the virus is present.
Monitoring the distribution of BTV is conducted regularly in accordance with the National Arbovirus Monitoring Program (NAMP). This program supports national BTV surveillance to monitor the distribution and types/strains of BTV that are circulating throughout Australia.
Clinical signs of BTV include fever (40°C to 41°C), swelling of the lips, tongue and head, nasal discharge, lameness and reddening around the coronaryband.
Suspicion of bluetongue disease in livestock should be reported immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline,1800 675 888. ■ JULIAGARDINER
charges were laid by either of Tasmania’s previous racing ministers against either the Yole brothers, or two other individuals.
“Allowing [the Yoles] to continue to race is undermining honest industry participants. Charges should have been laid a year ago, yet eighteen months after the initial reporting of these shocking breaches nothing has changed,” Edmunds said.
The brothers are charged with using a ‘pre-race regime’ in a wash bay on Ben Yole’s Sidmouth To page 30
Melle Holwerda
Introducing the new GE LOGIQ e R9 Ultrasound from Radincon
Simpler, Faster. More Precise.
Just released, the latest generation of the legendary GELOGIQ range is the all new R9 offering the latest in portable ultrasound capability.
Ideal for use in almost any practice situation, it has all the technical smarts you would expect from GE and more.
Enjoy console-grade performance from aportable laptop that will meet your everyday, all-day scanning needs. It’s easy to clean, nice and quiet, has larger higher resolution screen. The trackball isgone replaced by a trackpad for easy cleaning, it even has swipe functionality for power and depth.
Sealed keyboard design for easier cleaning and simplified functionality. Fit for purpose on the vet world.
Battery Life – Improved battery technology means 90 minutes scanning time letting you get through lots of cases without mains power.
Monitor Size – Wehave a larger screen on the R9 - 15.6” with higher resolution and a fantastic wide viewing angle.
Half a kilo lighter than the previous model. We all know you have enough weight to carry, any saving is magic at the end of a long day or night.
MP4 Capability – Allows you to save images in this format and to review the images easily on your computer or phone.
As a portable laptop configuration, the R9 has one active probe port. Add a cart, for in clinic use, and that can go to 3 active probe ports.
What do people say? Yes, fantastic, haven’t seen that level of detail before, game changer,when can I have mine?
Jon Marriott, Radincon Managing Director
"GE is amazing, we ask when the next thing is coming and don’tfind out until it arrives. This has been the most wonderful surprise. Wehave always loved the Logiq e up to the R8. Not many platforms ever remain over 18 years even with substantial upgrades. What we have now surpasses our hopes and dreams for the next thing. It’snot acopy of someone else’s idea, it's the result of research and development, base level improvement to make your experience better,easier and moreproductive."
VET Expo 2024’s record-breaking gathering
The fourth annual VET Expo, Australia’s premier event for the veterinary and animal healthcare sectors, took place at the ICC Sydney on October 24–25, drawing more than 2,000 professionals from across the country. This year’s expo surpassed expectations, providing a dynamic platform for learning, networking, and exploring cutting-edge industry developments.
The VET Expo’s extensive program included 14 diverse conference tracks featuring 142 expert speakers who delivered sessions on critical topics affecting veterinary medicine today. These presentations ranged from clinical innovations and new treatment methods to industry trends and practice management strategies, ensuring that participants gained valuable insights across a broad spectrum of interests.
The exhibition floor featured 120 prominent suppliers, presenting attendees with the latest products and services aimed at enhancing veterinary practice. With a focus on innovation, 20 start-ups also participated, sharing forwardthinking concepts that sparked discussions about the future direction of animal healthcare.
The event enabled many practitioners and suppliers to form new partnerships, promoting collaboration and driving the sector forward.
Attendee feedback highlighted the expo’s vibrant atmosphere, valuable networking opportunities, and diverse range of offerings as hallmarks of the event’s success. The VET Expo has set itself apart in the industry, providing an environment that fosters meaningful connections and industry insights.
With its largest turnout yet, The VET Expo has solidified its reputation as a must-attend event for veterinary professionals across Australia. Looking ahead, the event is set to return next year in Melbourne at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on September 3-4 2025, with plans to expand and build on this year’s achievements.
Environmental program initiated
CVS Australia has announced a new environmental program, marking a dedicated move toward sustainability within the veterinary sector. Teaming up with Vets for Climate Action (VfCA), CVS has introduced this program as part of its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, promote recycling and waste reduction, and ultimately, improve the future of animal health.
As a key component, CVS practices will join the VfCA’s ‘Climate Care Program,’ a structured initiative designed specifically for the veterinary industry. The Climate Care Program comprises six focus areas -Energy Efficiency, Net Zero and Renewables, Waste and Recycling, Water Efficiency, Procurement, and Chemicals. Through these modules, veterinarypractices gain access to VfCA’s practical online toolkits, which are customized to assist veterinary teams in integrating sustainable solutions into everyday practice.
Initially, five CVS practices will pilot the Climate Care Program, concentrating on Renewable Energy and Waste and Recycling. By calculating their baseline carbon footprint, these practices aim to implement practical changes that reduce energy use, cut emissions, and optimize recycling processes. Waste management will also undergo careful auditing, enabling CVS practices to learn resource efficiency methods and keep waste out of landfills.
CVS Australia is also establishing a network of “Environment Champions” to lead sustainability
efforts within each practice, supporting the environmental program’s long-term goals.
Jeremy Brimbank, Clinical Director of Brimbank Veterinary Clinic and Chair of the VfCA Climate Care Program advisor y committee, shared insights on the initiative’s significance. “Caring for animals also needs care for the climate in which they live. The experience in our practice of reviewing our processes as part of our Net Zero emissions goals has led to
significant improvements in standards of care, financial savings, and an empowered team,” he said.
“The last eleven months have been the hottest consecutive months on record. The impact on our animals is devastatingly clear,” Jeanette Kessels, Founding Chair of VfCA said. “Veterinarians have a moral, economic, and soon, legal imperative to advocate for animals and take practical action.”
The partnership between CVS and VfCA is expected to set a significant precedent within Australia’s veterinar y sector, demonstrating how sustainability efforts can align with high standards of veterinary care.
WVS delivers Asia’s largest rabies vax drive
In a monumental effort, UK-based Worldwide Veterinar y Service (WVS), through its Mission Rabies project, has vaccinated 229,488 dogs in Cambodia, marking Asia's largest rabies vaccination campaign. The two-week initiative spanned Phnom Penh, Kandal, and Battambang provinces, with over 300 teams mobilized to protect communities by curbing rabies transmission in the canine population. This recent campaign is part of Cambodia’s National Strategic Plan for Rabies Control and Elimination, in which WVS is a lead consultant.
Rabies, primarily spread through dog bites, remains a grave public health concern, with children under 15 accounting for 40 per cent of global rabies deaths. In Cambodia, where rabies rates are among the highest worldwide, the campaign targeted 70 per cent vaccination coverage within designated dog populations a level considered sufficient to create herd immunity and effectively halt rabies transmission.
“Vaccinating 229,488 dogs in Cambodia in just two weeks is a new milestone we’re immensely proud of,” Luke Gamble, CEO and founder of WVS said. “This campaign will prevent around 500 children from dying of rabies over the next few years.”
The campaign’s success relied on door-to-door vaccination efforts, coordinated through a digital tracking app that assigned locations to teams and logged each vaccination.
Mission Rabies also ran an extensive educational outreach program,
engaging schools, workplaces, and community centres to increase public awareness of rabies prevention and the importance of vaccination.
“Achieving at least 70 per cent vaccination coverage within rabiesaffected areas establishes herd immunity,stopping the transmission of the disease to humans,” Amy Nicole Lewis, International Project Manager at WVS said. “Through large-scale vaccination, education, and rabies surveillance, we can protect lives and stop this deadly disease for good.”
In addition to vaccinations, the campaign offered free spaying and neutering services at the Royal University of Agriculture, sterilizing 212 animals and providing medical care to 538 sick or injured animals. This project also offered a valuable learning opportunity for over 200 Cambodian veterinary students, who gained hands-on experience while contributing to the campaign’sbroader public health goals. Since its inception in 2019, Mission Rabies has maintained a 24-hour surveillance team in Cambodia, responding to reports of rabid animals and coordinating immediate post-exposure treatment for those bitten. A dedicated rabies hotline supports the public in reporting rabies cases and seeking emergency assistance.
WVS is actively recruiting volunteers for the next vaccination campaign, slated for 2025, as they continue working toward a rabiesfree future in Cambodia. For more information on Mission Rabies and volunteer opportunities, visit missionrabies.com.
Talking with Pussy: A Companion Book for Cat Owners from the Nineteenth Century
In1895, cat-lover and self-asserted feline linguist Marvin R. Clark gifted the world with the powerhouse that is Pussy and Her Language.While the name might raise a few eyebrows today, Clark’s motivations were altruistic and motivated by his love of the species. With this work, he promoted the idea that cats could indeed communicate, but it was their dim-witted humans who simply were not listening. By assisting people to understand cats, Clark hoped that his work would help “provide proper homes and medical attendance for the feline, with an eye to their comfort and improvement of the breed” believing that “material assistance should be given by the ruling powers in every nation.” He considered cat welfare a matter of vast importance and hoped to make it apriority in America and across the world.
Clark opened his work, a short pamphlet which could be purchased for fifty cents, with a defence of the cat, stating that “it is a solemn and well-known fact that one of a million dogs gets a bad name, while not one out of a million cats gets a good one.” From the “shadow of this cruel prejudice” he sought to place the cat “upon the pedestal to which she should have been raised for the admiration of the world long, long ago.” For Clark, the cat was vastly superior to other quadrumina. He asserted that if they were given the same privileges and companionship as dogs, cats would prove themselves to be more intelligent, whilst their delicacy and carefulness would become immediately apparent.
In terms of human languages, Clark, with the help of Professor Alphonse Leon Grimaldi, judged Chinese to be the most like that of the cat. Both contain words with various meanings according to the inflection. Moreover, Chinese and the language of the cat are similarly mellifluous and pleasing to the senses. That said, cats roll their Rs like the French. Grammatically, they structure their sentences fairly simply, often placing the noun or adjective at the beginning rather than the verb. For instance, a hungry cat would say “milk give me,” whereas an ailing one would say “sick I am.”
The book included a list of the seventeen most common words to ensure cat owners were equipped to understand these utterances.
Aelio = Food
Lae = Milk
Parriere=Open
Aliloo = Water
Bl = Meat
Ptlee-bl = Mouse meat
Bleeme-bl = Cooked meat
Pad = Foot
Leo = Head
Pro = Nail or claw
Tut = Limb
Papoo = Body
Oolie = Fur
Mi-ouw = Beware
Purrieu = Satisfaction or contentment
Yow = Extermination
Mieouw = Here
Astonishingly, cats can also count, “Aim” meaning one, “Ki” two, “Zah” three and so on. They can count in hundreds (“hoo”), thousands (“milli”) and millions (“zule”) --apparently, amillionaire in the cat world is known as a “zuluaim.” Moreover, cats could use their counting skills to tell the time and, apparently, hearing a cat express any numerical combination was simply euphonic.
Toconverse with a cat effectively, one must also understand that words only form a small part of their language. A large portion of their communication resided within their bodies and only by reading the signs correctly could a human interpret their cat’s message. The raised tail, tall like a flagstaff, indicated pride and satisfaction, whereas the tail that waved from side to side was a “token of dislike.” The tail curled under the body expressed fear, while the twitching one indicated amusement. Dramatically, and with the possible accompaniment of the phrase “Yow,” the cat lashing its tail was set on extermination.
If a cat owner looked close enough, they might also be able to pick up clues about the future. The cat pointing its tail towards the fire was
warning of imminent rain. On the other hand, the cat which inclined its tail to the door passed on the message that it would be a dry day. If a cat curled up on its side, this meant that “all is quiet along the owner’sline of life.”
It seems that Clark had a good audience for his musings on cat communication. Although cats had been kept as domesticated animals since around 7500 BCE, the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries saw their status rise. The idea of animals holding commercial value on account of affection allowed the pet trade to boom, both in terms of the purchase of animals themselves and (then as now) the myriad products associated with them. At the same time this period saw an increase in legal concern for animal welfare. The first major legislation against animal cruelty, introduced in 1822 by Colonel Richard Martin, prohibited the ill-treatment of horses, mules, oxen, cows, sheep and other cattle in the United Kingdom. Protection was then extended to dogs and other domestic animals, cats included, in the bill introduced by Joseph Pease in 1835. The same year,Queen Victoria became a patron of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, insisting a cat be included on the RSPCA Queen’s Medal.
Within this climate, pet shows emerged, the first in the UK held in Newcastle in 1859 and dedicated to dogs. Cats got their turn in 1871 with their first show held in the Crystal Palace, London and drawing in a crowd of 20000. Cats, of which there were 170 entrants, were split into different categories and judged on factors such as coat length, colour and shape. In America, Boston hosted their cat show in 1878, while Madison Square Garden in New York served as the setting for the show in 1895 --the same year that Pussy and Her Language made its mark on the world.
Cat owners were encouraged to read Clark’s pamphlet, even if only for the heartwarming tales filling its pages. It featured in the “Library Leaflets” section of the July 1895 issue of Good Housekeeping ,a magazine still in circulation today The Women’sTribune, an American newspaper founded by suffragist Clara Bewick Colby, praised the work and described it as unique, interesting and an enjoyable read for anyone who loves their cat.
Pussy and Her Language may no longer have the popularity it celebrated in the past, nor did Clark’svocabularyachieve mainstream acceptance. However, one sentence in particular rings as true now as it did then.In the penultimate chapter,the writer concludes, Ido not know of any sounds more soothing to the nerves of man as musical, or as musically correct in rhythm, intonation or melody, as the song of the cat when at peace with the world.
Kiwi Post
When the music stops
I’mheading North towards Queenstown into a day of cut glass brightness. Everything seems dressed up and shining.
This is the time of year when Southland emerges, blinking, from its mud-washed winter. Suddenly, you look up and it’s all brilliant greens, deep blues, and blinking white. Southland becomes a set of startling primary colours.
It could be a flag, like the Ukrainian yellow under blue, which represents sunflowers under ablue sky. In Southland, it would be three stripes- the deep, virile green of the paddocks; above that the shining white of the snow covered peaks; and above that an impenetrable blue that frames the ridgelines and teeth of the peaks.
These are the days to head North: to Te Anau, Kingston, Queenstown. The mountains are scalpel- sharp with their white and black ridges set against a crystal sky. Below are the lakes, deceptively appealing and deep blue, but glacially cold.
Overnight, the brown and grey and various shades of darkness seem to have given way to this brightness and brilliance. Blues and whites and greens seem to almost pulsate at the back of your eyes. The light at this time of year,in this place, is simply stunning.
Southland has finally emerged from one of the worst springs on record. While other parts of Aotearoa were facing drought conditions, we had 5 times our normal amount of rain in September and October. After a reasonably benign winter, it started to rain. And just never stopped.
I’ve been here for 25 years and I’ve never seen aspring like it. Normally, when it gets bad, it gets good again. We go through a cycle and before you can moan too much about the wet it
goes away and makes way for sun and warmth. That’s why we grow so much grass. There’s a saying down here that ‘Southland will get you down but never let you down’
Except this year it did both. Paddocks were sodden, dirty, muddy, places of despair. And farmers and their stock took the brunt of it. Every paddock looked like a sacrifice paddock. Cows and sheep lost condition, it became difficult – and expensive- to buy in feed. Then New Zealand ran out of Palm Kernel. Cows were ononce a day and sheep lost lambs in the constant storms.
Farmers were broken. They came to the clinic with heads down, eyes averted. Difficult conversations and unspoken thoughts. We gave them biscuits and coffee and cups of tea. There wasn’tmuch to say. There wasn’t much we could do except listen.
Out on their farms we became counsellors. Many had never left their farms all spring and had no idea how bad everyone else was having it. There was some form of comfort in mutual suffering. Our vets had grown men breaking down in front of them. Then the vets would come back and break down in the clinic. We’re trained for animals and disease, not people and misery.
And as if the skinny cows and the lack of grass and the mud and the mastitis weren’t enough, Salmonella appeared. A large portion of our farms were impacted, some losing dozens of cows with hundreds infected.
But the community rallied round. On one of the worst days we went around and gave out soup to our sheep clients instead of doing visits. Sheep farmers in the middle of lambing were as thankful for the free visit and yarn as the hot food I think. The banks came to the party, shouting their clients food hampers; an insurance company donated 700 family pies for us to give out to clients. The NZVA diverted some drought funding to some of our clients so that
we could sit and make animal health plans with them. Mostly we discussed anything but the being there and listening was the most important animal health plan they could have.
When things got really bad, the local medical centre contacted us, concerned for their farmer clients and wondering how they could help. This was One Health in real life, the intersection of human and animal health in the face of an environmental challenge, not just some fancy sounding words on a government policy document. What could they do?
We thought of seminars, guest speakers, barbeques and casual drunken orgies. We decided that we needed to get farmers into an environment where they could forget about their issues for a brief moment, and none of the above would quite do. What about a Scottish ceilidh?
Aceilidh is a Scottish country dance but much more than that. It’sagathering of friends and family and a chance to live in the moment and just let the music and ‘craic’ take over. And so it did. Over 130 folk turned out one evening for a few hours to dance and laugh and drink and forget. Most of them had never danced anything Scottish in their life and most never will again. But they donned tartan caps and scarves and shirts and skirts; and came and brought friends and parents and kids.
It was a fantastic night- made possible by the generosity of our amazing community. It didn’t even rain, and when the music stopped and we spilled out of the hall in the dark we saw stars for what felt like the first time for years.
Although the primary colours have returned to Southland, the spring is more than a memory. The impact on cows and sheep and paddocks and grass continues. Farmers will keep going it’s what they do. And us vets will keep working with them it’swhat we do. And the rural community will keep supporting us all it’s what rural communities do best.
Mark Bryan qualified in Glasgow in 1988, and moved to New Zealand in 1995.
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Harnessing the gut microbiome: apotential biomarker for wild animal welfare
The welfare of wild animal populations is critically important to conservation, with profound implications for ecosystem health, biodiversity, and zoonotic disease transmission. Animal welfare is typically defined as the accumulated affective mental state of an animal over a particular time period. However, the assessment of animal welfare in the wild poses unique challenges, primarily due to the lack of universally applicable biomarkers. This perspective explores the potential role of the gut microbiome, a dynamic and non-invasive biomarker, as a novel avenue for evaluating animal welfareinwild animals. The gut microbiome, through interactions with the host's physiology, behaviour, and cognition, offers a promising opportunity to gain insights into the well-being of animals. In this synthesis, we discuss the distinction between fitness and welfare, the complexities of assessing welfare in wild populations, and the linkages between the gut microbiome and aspects of animal welfare such as behaviour and cognition. We lastly elucidate how the gut microbiome could serve as a valuable tool for wildlife managers, with the potential to serve asanon-invasive yet informative window into the welfare of wild animals. As this nascent field evolves, it presents unique opportunities to enhance our understanding of the well-being of wild animals and to contribute to the preservation of ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health.
Sam Sonnega1,Michael J Sheriff1 Front Vet Sci. 2024 Oct 2:11: 1474028.doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1474028.
1Department of Biology, UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA, United States.
Hyperflexing the horse's neck: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The article reports a meta-analysis of 58 peer-reviewed studies investigating on dorsoventral hyperflexion of the neck in horses, apractice under substantial public and scientific scrutiny for the past two decades. The following databases were last searched on 28.05.2023: CAB, Google Scholar, Web of Science, NAL/Agricola, PubMed and ScienceDirect. After evaluating the conclusions of each study, we performed statistical analyses to establish a consensus on welfareand performance (performance marks, kinematics and musculoskeletal) outcomes in horses performing with a hyperflexed head and neck posture(HNP). The analysis revealed that a significant majority of the articles (75% of n = 36; Z = 3.00; P>|Z|=0.0027) expressed concerns about the welfareof horses working in this posture. Parameters such as dressage training level, prior experience, duration, and method of achieving the hyperflexed posturedid not influence welfare concern conclusions significantly (P > 0.1). Therefore, it appears that the practice impairs welfare regardless of how it is imposed. A concurrent assessment of the weight of evidence for performance benefits showed inconclusive results: approximately one-quarter of the studies showed benefits and one-quarter detrimental effects, while the largest proportion (44%) showed no significant effect on performance. On balance, it appears that the costs associated with hyperflexed HNPs exceed potential benefits.
Uta König von Borstel1,Kathrin Kienapfel2,Andrew McLean3, Cristina Wilkins4,Paul McGreevy5
Sci Rep.2024 Oct 2;14(1): 22886.doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-72766-5.
1Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Section Animal Husbandry, Behaviour and Welfare, University of Giessen, Leihgesterner Weg 52, 35392, Giessen, Germany. uta.koenig@agrar.uni-giessen.de.
2Group Equids, Swiss national stud farm, Les Longs Pres, Agroscope, Avenches, 1580, Switzerland.
4School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2353, Australia.
5Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Armidale, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Exploring
longitudinal associations betweenfarmer wellbeing and the
welfare of their livestock. The HUNT Study, Norway
The One Welfare approach acknowledges the interrelationships between human wellbeing and animal welfare. Early research has suggested associations between stockperson wellbeing and livestock welfare; however these scenarios are complex and challenging to untangle. In this study, we utilised merged data from over 700 farms to explore associations between farmer wellbeing and livestock welfare. The farms were engaged in cattle, sheep, and/or swine production in Norway between 2017 and 2020. The farmers participated in a general populationbased health survey, and livestock welfare was measured using routinely collected, animal-based abattoir observations of over 480,000 animals. We determined a farm's overall livestock welfare relative to the other farms and calculated within-farm differences in this relative welfare level over time. A subset of enterprises (n=328) with sufficient and non-ambiguous farmer wellbeing information were then used to explore differences in these within-farm differences by farmer wellbeing status. We found that poor farmer wellbeing - whether it was defined by anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, symptoms of psychological distress, or life satisfaction - was associated with a deterioration in overall livestock welfare level (in terms of the mean of the farm's abattoir observed welfare indicators). There was evidence that this association persisted for at least two years. Given societal concerns regarding sustainable food production, farmer wellbeing, and livestock welfare, further research is indicated to explore the complex farmer-livestock relationship within the One Welfare framework. This study suggests that using within-farm changes in relative livestock welfare derived from routinely collected information can be a useful approach.
Natalie Anne Steen1,Karianne Muri2,Magnhild Oust Torske3 Prev Vet Med. 2024 Oct 19:233: 106361.doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106361.
1Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Skolegata 22,Steinkjer 7713,Norway.
Electronic address: natalie.steen@nord.no.
2Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU),P.O. Box 5003,Ås 1432,Norway.
Electronic address: karianne.muri@nmbu.no.
3Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Skolegata 22,Steinkjer 7713,Norway.
Electronic address: magnhild.o.torske@nord.no.
Free article
Surgeon experience affects perioperative pain in cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy: a randomized clinical trial
Objective: This study aimed to compare the outcomes between surgeries performed by either experienced or inexperienced surgeons by assessing intraoperative nociception and perioperative analgesia.
Methods: 16 healthy, client-owned female cats were randomly allocated into 2 groups of 8: one undergoing surgery by an experienced surgeon (GES group) and the other by inexperienced surgeons (GIS group). Both groups received IM premedication with acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg) and methadone (0.3 mg/kg). After 20 minutes, venipunctureand induction with propofol (dose-response, IV) wereperformed. Maintenance was achieved with inhaled isoflurane. Intraoperative vital parameters were monitored, and fentanyl (2.5 µg/kg, IV) was administered as rescue analgesia when needed. Postoperatively,pain was assessed with a visual analog scale and the multidimensional pain scale of the Universidade Estadual Paulista in Botucatu; morphine (0.2 mg/kg, IM) was used for rescue analgesia, as necessary.
Results: In the GIS group, significant increases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure were noted during surgery, To page30
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Cannabis medicine in horses
Introducton
The use of cannabis in equine medicine has gained significant interest in recent years. In 2020, the TGA allowed veterinarians in Australia to prescribe CBD to animals. With the legalisation of cannabis products in various regions worldwide, a growing body of research exploring potential benefits and applications for cannabinoids in horses has encouraged veterinarians to add cannabis to their pharmacy. This article outlines the historical context of cannabis, the role of the endocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system, how phytocannabinoids can be utilised to modify this system and safety considerations and applications in equine medicine.
History of cannabis in equine medicine
The use of cannabis in horses is not new, with ancient Greeks using it for colic and wound care over 1500 years ago. In the early 1900s, a US Cavalry Manual cited doses for cannabis as a therapeutic for spasmodic colic, acute indigestion and impactions. In 1913 in the American Veterinary Medical Association annual proceedings, a presentation on cannabis medicine was featured. Cannabis was chosen by many veterinarians at this time as the chief anodyne in their colic mixtures, thereby avoiding the risk of constipation, anorexia and indigestion associated with opium. Dr Herbert Palmer described the preferred method of extraction of cannabis at this time to be alcohol.1 This influences the type of cannabinoids that would dominate, as I’ll discuss further under phytocannabinoids.
The endocannabinoid system and endocannabinoidome
As in all vertebrates, horses have a complex ECS (endocannabinoid system). The ECS has been described as perhaps the most important physiological cell signalling pathway within the body, consisting of endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and metabolising enzymes. The most prevalent endocannabinoids are Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, which serve as ligands for the G-protein coupled receptors CB1 and CB2. These receptors are found throughout the body,with CB1 being highly concentrated inthe central nervous system and CB2 found more in other organ systems and the immune system, where they play many diverse roles from regulating appetite to mediating immune responses. To date, research has confirmed the presence of CB receptors in the ileum, skin, synovial membranes and most recently the trigeminal ganglion of horses.2, 3, 4, 5
The Endocannabinoid system is part of an even larger and more complex family of signalling molecules and receptors, the endocannabinoidome. This includes the complex communication that occurs between the ECS and all other receptor systems including the opioid, dopamine, serotonin, GABA and glutamate systems.
In summary, the ECS and the endocannabinoidome ensure an organism can interact with its environment, adapt to changing conditions and recover from injuries and insults. (#6
Phytocannabinoids
Phytocannabinoids are chemicals found in cannabisthat share structural similarity to the endocannabinoids and may interact with cannabinoid receptors or enzymes in the endocannabinoid metabolic pathway.
THC is a partial agonist for CB1 and CB2 receptors and is psychoactive. It has also been shown to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-muscle spasticity and antineoplastic effects. Here in Australia, veterinarians are restricted to prescribing CBD full spectrum products with 98% Cannabidiol and < 2% THC (<0.2% w/v). Atthese low levels, combined with Cannabidiol’s capacity to ameliorate its psychoactive effects, the THC as found in full spectrum products does not cause intoxicating effects.
CBD or Cannabidiol functions as an endocannabinoid modulator by inhibiting fatty acid amide hydrolase and anandamide reuptake. This and a variety of other mechanisms give CBD its analgesic action. CBD has also been shown in human and animal models to have anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, antineoplastic and neuroprotective action. CBD is a single molecule and is found in CBD Isolate preparations. CBDA is the acid precursor to CBD found in the raw cannabis plant. It is usually extracted from the plant using alcohol, and then heat treatment converts it to CBD. The fluid extracts used in the early 1900s are therefore likely to be CBDA rich due to alcohol extraction. CBDA is a COX 2 inhibitor and serotoninomimetic and has been shown in rodent models to have anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea and antiemetic effects. It’s also more bioavailable than CBD and can improve the bioavailability of CBD when the two are used together.
when combining it with other medications that may affect liver function.
An in vitro study on canine liver tissue indicates CBDA is metabolised predominantly by glucuronidation which may reduce the likelihood of CYP enzyme induction.7
Several studies using full spectrum CBD and CBDA have shown doses up to 8mg/kg to be well tolerated and a study to be released from Cornell next year shows good tolerability over
The Entourage Effect
With more than 750 bioactive compounds identified, the cannabis plant is chemically diverse with numerous constituents including phytocannabinoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, fatty acids and phytosterols. The synergy from the interactions that can occur between these molecules is referred to as the Entourage Effect. Plants such as cannabis are considered polypharmaceuticals. Minimal processing, as used to extract CBDA, preserves the greatest number of bioactives, especially the volatile terpenes that have medicinal properties themselves, and can easily be lost during heat treatment. A combination of CBD and CBDA in a full spectrum product retains the benefits of both CBD and CBDA. Lower doses can often be utilised with full spectrum products versus CBD Isolates.
Safety
Cannabidiol is extensively metabolised in the liver through the CYP P450 enzymes and has been studied extensively in several species, as well as in vitro. In horses, as in other species, liver enzyme elevations may occur following CBD medication. This is thought to be due to enzyme induction and no studies have shown any deleterious effects on the liver, beyond a mouse study that utilised extremely high doses. CBD is considered safe when used in appropriate doses, but caution is advised
a6w period of a CBD/CBDA formulation with no changes on bloods.8, 9,10
Safety studies with CBD have also been conducted on breeding stallions with no effect on spermatogenesis or libido.11, 12
Dosing
Published studies use variable dose rates up to 5mg/kg and higher, but it has generally been found in the field that horses respond to doses that are lower per kg, than for dogs and cats.1
Dr Joyce Harman, a veterinarian with extensive experience using cannabis medicine has found 25mg full spectrum CBD given twice daily to be sufficient for an average horse for most of the conditions she treats.
As with small animals, it should be noted that all individuals will have a unique Endocannabinoid System that will influence their response to CBD, and as such dosing should follow a “start low and go slow” dosing regimen, incrementally increasing the dose everyfive to seven days based on the patient’s response and tolerance to the product.
Side effects
CBD Isolate, CBD full spectrum and CBDA are verywell tolerated. Sedation and diarrhoea are possible but have not been documented in the literature at recommended doses. As previously mentioned, ALP elevations may occur.
Dilated
cardiomyopathy
(DCM) is the second most common form of acquired heart disease in dogs1
Treating early with VETMEDIN® is proven to delay the onset of clinical signs by 63% and extend life in preclinical DCM.1
To learn more about identifying preclinical DCM in dogs, scan the QR code to visit Boehringer Ingelheim Cardiology Hub. If you do not have an Animal Health Academy account, please register using the access code “myAcademy”.
For more information talk to your Boehringer Ingelheim Territory Manager today or call our Customer Care Team on 1800 808 691.
Applications
To date, the most researched applications for CBD therapy in humans and various animal models is as an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory, an anxiolytic and anticonvulsant. Other potential medical uses include gastrointestinal support, skin support, neuroprotection and palliative care.
Research into applications for horses is currently limited but growing quickly due to a large interest into this area. The following applications in horses are supported by research, or a consensus among international equine practitioners experienced with cannabis medicine.
Osteoarthritis
Apaper released earlier this year with 24 senior horses, average age of 20yo, found oral CBD full spectrum at a dose of 0.03 mg kg every 24h in addition to phenylbutazone provided improved pain management and a more satisfactory quality of life than single NSAID treatment in horses with OA.
It should also be noted that CBD can be utilised as an effective `old horse tonic’ due to its capacity to positively influence several systems in the body, including the pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Anxiety and behaviour
An anxiolytic effect has been repeatedly observed in horses receiving CBD therapy.1 CBD has been found to be very effective for PTSD type anxiety as can occur in racehorses and rescue horses.
Aclinical case report describes a 22-year-old mare suffering from chronic crib-biting and wind-sucking, and the successful outcome of four weeks-therapy with CBD.13
Gastrointestinal support CBDtherapy has been effective for treating gastric ulcers and in cases of chronic colitis and IBD.1
Pain
Successful outcomes have been documented from CBD therapy in a case of mechanical allodynia, as well as laminitis in a mare which did not tolerate phenylbutazone.1
CBD has also proved beneficial for treating the neuropathic pain associated with headshakers.
CBDA for IBD: a case study
Earlier this year we presented a case study on an 18 yo Newforest pony diagnosed with IBD at an equine specialist hospital. The diagnosis was made on the findings of a thickened small intestinal wall. His large intestinal wall was normal and faecal tests were negative.
Frank started showing clinical signs 12m ago when he became inappetant and lost a lot of weight over a three-week period. He had workups at two GP clinics and was treated for stomach ulcers. A follow up scope was normal. He also received a course of antibiotics.
Following referral and receiving a diagnosis of IBD, Frank was prescribed prednisolone with immediate improvement and a return almost to normal after the full course. Unfortunately Frank’s clinical signs returned after he finished the prednisolone and he was given a second course. Each time he stopped steroids, clinical signs returned.
In March this year,Frank was started on CBD full spectrum. He reached a dose of 0.2mg/kg twice daily. He was still receiving a low dose of prednisolone.
In May I became involved in Frank’scase, and we elected to start him on a CBDA fortified full spectrum oil in the hope of harnessing the increased anti-inflammatoryeffects of CBDA, and maximising the entourage effect. By the end of May,he had been able to stop prednisolone completely and compete for the first time in over a year, even coming home with aplacing.
Equine IBD Case Study BEFORE AFTER
Asa side note, Frank has some arthritic changes in his front fetlocks which he no longer shows clinical signs of.
Acouple of weeks ago I contacted Frank’s owner for an update, and she advised he’s doing really well! He is still on CBDA but a little sporadically now as heis out competing and is taken off it for a week prior to competition. The owner is hesitant to take him off it completely as she feels it was the turning point in his recovery. He is also enjoying the benefits of the CBDA for his arthritis.
Regulatory guidelines and withholding periods
Most, if not all equestrian federations and racing regulatory bodies currently test for cannabinoids and penalise owners of horses with positive cannabinoid results.
Based on pharmacokinetic studies of CBD elimination times, a conservative withdrawal time of 7 days is advised before showing. Larger or smaller doses may amend withdrawal times, and this is an area that requires more study.1
Unregulated products
Horse owners are becoming increasingly aware of the potential health benefits CBD may provide their horses, and unfortunately many are opting to buy unregulated products from sources outside of their veterinarian. This practice is both illegal and carries the potential for several risks including the possibility of contaminants such as heavy metals, solvents and pesticides; unknown levels of cannabinoids especially THC; subtherapeutic cannabinoid concentrations; and the possibility of drug interactions with other medications the horse may be taking. It is therefore imperative that veterinarians control the source of cannabis products to ensure their safe and effective use.
As the Veterinary Educator for The Endocannabinoid System Veterinar y Centre, apharmacy dedicated to providing premium European cannabis products, as well as education, my goal is to help veterinarians gain the knowledge and understanding they need to become confident prescribers of cannabis medicine. For further information, I can be contacted at anita@ecs.health
References
1. Cannabis Therapy in Veterinary Medicine, Springer, 2021 #12 2. Galiazzo, G., Tagliavia, C., Giancola, F., Rinnovati, R., Sadeghinezhad, J., Bombardi, C., Grandis, A., Pietra, M., & Chiocchetti, R. (2021). Localisation of Cannabinoid and Cannabinoid-Related Receptors in the Horse Ileum. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 104, 103688.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021. 103688
3. Kupczyk, P., Rykala, M., Pawel Serek, Pawlak, A., Bartosz Kazimierz Slowikowski, Marcin Holysz, Grzegorz Chodaczek, Madej, J. A., Piotr Ziólkowski, & Artur Niedzwiedz. (2022). The cannabinoid receptors system in horses: Tissue distribution and cellular identification in skin. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 36(4), 1508–1524. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16467
4. Ludovic Miagkoff, Girard, C. A., Guillaume St-Jean, Richard, H., & Beauchamp, G. (2022). Cannabinoid receptors are expressed in equine synovium and upregulated with synovitis. Equine Veterinary Journal, 55(4), 681–695.https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13860
5. Rodrigo Zamith Cunha, Semprini, A., Salamanca, G., Anna Rita Migliaccio, Morini, M., Pickles, K., Roberts, V., & Chiocchetti, R. (2023). Expression of Cannabinoid Receptors in the Trigeminal Ganglion of the Horse. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(21), 15949–15949. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242115949
6. Hazzah, T., Andre, C., Richter, G., & Mcgrath, S. (2020). Scientific Review Cannabis in Veterinary Medicine: A Critical Review, AHVMA Journal •,61, 17. https://www. ahvma.org/w-pcontent/uploads/Cannabis-in-VeterinaryMedicine-A-Critical-Review-Vol-61_LR-3.pdf
7. Court, M. H., Mealey, K. L., Burke, N. S., Tania Perez Jimenez, Zhu, Z., & Wakshlag, J. J. (2023). Cannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid: Preliminary in vitro evaluation of metabolism and drug–drug interactions involving canine cytochrome P-450, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, and P-glycoprotein. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics,47(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/ jvp.13403
8. Alexander,McCarrel, T. M., Zakharov, A., Gomez, B., Lyubimov, A., Schwark, W. S., Mallicote, M. F., Portela, D. A., Bisiau, A. L., & Wakshlag, J. J. (2024). Pharmacokinetics and tolerability of single-dose enteralcannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid rich hemp in horses (Equus caballus). Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11.https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1356463
9. Eichler, F., Ehrle, A., Jensen, K. C., Baudisch, N., Petersen, H., Bäumer, W., Lischer, C., & Wiegard, M. (2023). Behavioral observations, heart rate and heart rate variability in horses following oral administration of a cannabidiol containing paste in three escalating doses (part 1/2). Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10, 1305868. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1305868
10. Yocom, A. F., O’Fallon, E. S., Gustafson, D. L., & Contino, E. K. (2022). Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Synovial Fluid Concentrations of Single- and MultipleDose Oral Administration of 1 and 3 mg/kg Cannabidiol in Horses❉ Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 113, 103933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs. 2022.103933
11. Byars, P. C., Mason, C., Jones, T. N., Cassens, D., & Guay, K. A. (2023). 135 Effects of oral supplementation of cannabidiol on stallion spermatogenesis. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science,124, 104437. https://doi.org/1 0.1016/j.jevs.2023.104437
12. Mason, A. C., Byars, P. C., Jones, T. N., Jones, B. W., &Guay, K. A. (2023). 136 The effects of cannabidiol on libido and heart rate in stallions. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science,124, 104438. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jevs.2023.104438
13. Cunha, R. Z., Felisardo, L. L., Salamanca, G., Marchioni, G. G., Neto, O. I., & Chiocchetti, R. (2023). The use of cannabidiol as a novel treatment for oral stereotypic behaviour (crib-biting) in a horse. Veterinary and Animal Science,19, 100289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2023.100289
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“PEXION has provided a vital new tool for the treatment of epilepsy in dogs. As a neurologist, I now use it as my rst choice anticonvulsant in drug-naive patients, because of its improved side effect pro le over more traditional drugs, its improved hepatic safety, and its short half-life (which means I know whether it’s working fairly quickly). It is also one of the few anticonvulsants that has a sound body of evidence to support its use and it gives us one more option to use in our never-ending quest for that most elusive of things: perfect seizure control.” – Dr Sam Long BVSc PhD DipECVN, Veterinary Referral Hospital.
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The effect of pre-partum shearing of Corriedale ewes on placental and lamb
development and neonatal behaviour
Aims: To evaluate the effects of early and late pre-partum shearing of Corriedale ewes carrying single fetuses on placental and lamb development and neonatal lamb behaviour.
Methods: At 70 days of gestation, 37 multiparous Corriedale ewes with known gestation dates were randomly allocated into three groups: S70 (n = 12) and S110 (n = 12), shorn at Day 70 and 110 ofgestation, and US (n = 13), that were not shorn pre-partum. Gestation length, lambing duration, placental expulsion time, placental weight, number and weight of cotyledons, and placental efficiency (lamb weight/placental weight) were determined. At birth, body temperature, weight, morphometric measurements, ponderal index (lamb weight/lamb crown-rump length) and behaviour were recorded, with weight remeasured 72 hours later. Four male lambs per group were slaughtered immediately after parturition, and organ weight and perirenal brown fat weight and energy content recorded.
Results: Pre-partum shearing, regardless of timing, increased total dried placental weight per ewe. Pre-partum shearing at Day 70 of gestation increased the number and mean weight of the > 2 to < 3-cm cotyledons, while pre-partum shearing at Day 110 of gestation increased only the weight of these cotyledons. At birth and at 72 hours, lambs from ewes shorn either at 70 days of gestation (birth: 5.5 (95 per cent CI = 4.6-6.4) kg, p = 0.001; 72 hours: 6.4 (95 per cent CI=6.1-6.8) kg, p = 0.002) or at 110 days of gestation (birth: 5.4 (95 per cent CI = 4.4-6.4) kg, p = 0.001; 72 hours: 6.5 (95 per cent CI = 5.9-7.1) kg, p = 0.001) were heavier than lambs from unshorn ewes (birth: 4.0 (95 per cent CI = 3.3-4.8) kg; 72 hours: 4.8 (95 per cent CI=3.5-6.1) kg). Lambs born to S70 and S110 ewes suckled sooner (31.5 (95 per cent CI = 14.5-48.5) minutes, p = 0.001; and 39.3 (95 per cent CI = 23.7-55.0) minutes, p = 0.001 respectively), than lambs born to the US group (70.3 (95 per cent CI = 38.6-102.1) minutes). There was no evidence for an effect of pre-partum shearing on gestation length, parturition length, time of placental expulsion, placental efficiency, weight and energy of perirenal brown fat, and lamb temperature at birth.
Conclusions and clinical relevance: Shearing ewes pre-partum may lead to placental changes affecting lamb development and behaviour and associated with higher survival. The findings suggest pre-partum shearing may improve lamb survival, farm profitability and sustainability. To page 30
Intramuscular injection of a commercially available medetomidine-vatinoxan hydrochloride mixtureproduces reliable sedation in sheep
and goats with varying cardiopulmonary effects
Objective: To evaluate the sedation quality of an IM injection of acommercially available medetomidine-vatinoxan combination (ZEN) in healthy goats and sheep and discern species differences in cardiopulmonaryparameters.
Methods: 10 apparently healthy adult university-owned research Black Bengal-crossbreed goats and 10 adult Gulf Coast native and Katahdin sheep were enrolled in this prospective experimental study fromJune27 to July 27, 2023. All animals were sedated on 1 occasion with 0.06 mL of ZEN/kg, IM (0.03 mg of medetomidine/kg and 0.6 mg of vatinoxan hydrochloride/kg). Cardiopulmonary variables including heartrate, arterial blood pressure, and arterial blood gas parameters were recorded along with sedation depth and duration. Any animals still sedated after 150 minutes received 0.01 mg of atipamezole/kg.
Results: The mean ±SD of the total sedation time for sheep and goats was 102.80 ±10.90 minutes and 133.50 ±32.63 minutes, respectively. Profound reliable sedation was achieved in all but 1animal. Hypoxemia was observed in sheep and goats Topage 30
Supporting traceability and biosecurity in the sheep and goat industries in NSW: understanding barriers to implementing electronic identification
Efficient traceability is paramount for Australia's biosecurity system and market access. Electronic identification (eID) offers higher traceability performance than that achieved with visual and mob-based identification used for the sheep and goats National Livestock Identification System (NLIS). The current study aims to gain an understanding of the barriers and motivations of using eID for NLIS sheep and goats in New South Wales (NSW) and to provide recommendations to support the transition to eID. A social research study using a mixed-methods approach was used through semi-structured interviews and a cross-sectional epidemiological and behavioural study among sheep and goat producers. The COM-B behaviour change model based on capabilities, opportunities and motivations was used as a framework for the study. A total of 269 participants informed this study: 25 interviews were conducted with government, industry and private stakeholders, and 184 and 58 sheep and goat producers participated in the cross-sectional study, respectively. The study identified poor understanding of the purpose and importance of NLIS among producers, with over two-thirds not supporting eID implementation. The main barriers identified to the eID implementation were practical, including costs, technology quality and increased workload. Attitudinal, behavioural and knowledge barriers, such as the perception of the current system providing efficient traceability and the perceived lack of benefits of eID were also identified. This study provides an in-depth analysis of practices and perceptions To page 30
An update on Australian policy around lamb marking with examination of potential drivers. Comment on Johnston et al. How well does Australian animal welfare policy reflect scientific evidence: acase study approach based on lamb marking. Animals 2023, 13,1358
This commentary provides an update and clarification on the legislative landscape surrounding mulesing in Australia since the publication of the 2023 study,"How Well Does Australian Animal Welfare Policy Reflect Scientific Evidence: A Case Study Approach Based on Lamb Marking". The article explores legislative changes mandating the use of pain relief for mulesing in various states, emphasising Victoria's original role, and highlighting the fragmented state-based legislative approach to animal welfare. It discusses the impact of these legislative changes on industry practices and animal welfare outcomes. The commentary highlights the complexities of policy development in this area, due in partto the diverse and often conflicting interests of stakeholders and the public. It underscores the importance of transparency, stakeholder collaboration, and scientifically informed policymaking to effectively enhance animal welfare standards.
Charlotte H Johnston1,Amanda J Errington2,Mark R Hutchinson134,Alexandra L Whittaker5
Animals (Basel). 2024 Oct 8;14(19): 2890.doi: 10.3390/ani14192890.
1School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
2EthiQualia, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
3Davies Livestock Research Centre, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy,SA 5371, Australia.
4Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
5School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy,SA 5371, Australia.
Open access article
Simon Palmer isthe Managing Director of Practice Sale Search, Australia’s largest vet practice brokerage. If you’d like more information on practice sales or want to have a confidential discussion about your practice’s circumstances, email Simon Palmer at info@practicesalesearch. com.au or call 1300 282 042.
Practice sale mythbusters – Part 1
Asexperienced vet practice brokers in Australia, my team and I are always amazed at the misconceptions that some vets have about the process of buying and selling a practice. In this series of articles, we thought we would address some of the more commonly heard and persistent misconceptions that we hear:
Seller Misconception 1 – Once we have agreed on the price…everything else will fall into place
While price is no doubt the most important item that you and the seller will need to negotiate, it is not everything. There are dozens of other terms that you will need to negotiate to close a deal, and many of them might change how you or the seller think about price.
Seller Misconception 2 – Once the transaction settles, I’ll be able to sail off into the sunset
While this can be true, it is rare. Most sellers commit to working in the business for months (or even, in some case, years) post sale, to finish their cases and ensure a smooth transition/handover of goodwill occurs.
This post-sale commitment significantly de-risks the purchase in the eyes of the purchaser and the bank, as it gives the practice a greater chance of patient
retention. As a result, we can almost always get a better financial result for a transaction where the vendor agrees to stay on post sale.
For this reason, it is important for sellers to plan ahead and bring their business to market while they still have the time and energy to work post sale.
Seller Misconception 3 – The buyer's ability to get a loan is not my problem
Asmuch as I wish that it was all about the presentation of the practice and salesmanship, that simply isn’t the case.
Theamount that you will be able to get for your practice will have a lot to do with how a bank views it, and if there is some quality of your practice that makes getting finance difficult (a poor lease on the premises, poor quality of financials, etc.), it will almost certainly impact your sale and selling price.
Assuch, the quality of the information that you provide to buyers to give to their banks is a vital component to getting the result that you want.
ACommon Buyer Misconception: Sellers are all about the money Many buyers believe that the highest bid will always be the winning bid. It is important for buyers to realise that selling a
vet practice isn’t just a financial transaction for an owner. There are also non-financial goals that an owner is trying to achieve with a sale. For example:
■ Lifestyle goals post sale. Most vendors will come to us with post sale lifestyle goals that are as important as the sale price. Some have bucket list trips that they want to take, some need to cut down on work for health reasons and others want/ need to continue to work and they will only sell if their clinical job is secure post sale.
■ Caretaker goals. Most vendors who have run their businesses for a long period of time are emotionally invested in the relationships that they have built over the years in their practice, and need to feel that the buyers are clinically and financially ethical and will take good care of the patients and staff post sale.
Don’t get us wrong, the price is vitally important in any transaction, BUT we often see vendors accept alower financial offer from a buyer that they feel is a “better fit” for their patients, staff, self (as a future boss) and premises (if the vendor will be the future landlord post sale).
Part 2 of this article will be available in the next issue
SPECIALIST MEDICALIMAGING
Penny Thomas isaveterinary oncology specialist and owner of Veterinary Oncology Consultants, an online service that helps veterinarians treat their patients with cancer in their clinics. She is passionate about continuing education and helping all practitioners to improve the quality of life of their oncology patients.
Clinical review: canine lymphoma
Abstract
Canine multicentric lymphoma is one ofthe most common cancer diagnoses made in clinical practice. While a frequently encountered disease, there are several options for obtaining a diagnosis and prognostic information which can be somewhat confusing when trying to definitive diagnose this disease. Once a diagnosis has been obtained there are also several treatment options that can all significantly improve the patient’s quality of life and survival time. While often not a curable disease, it is one in which patients will commonly feel better quickly with treatment and go onto enjoy a year or more of good quality life with their families.
Typical presentation
For the majority of canine multicentric lymphoma patients they will present with their owner having identified a ‘lump’ or ‘lumps’ and upon physical examination it becomes apparent that these reflect enlarged lymph nodes. Most patients are still feeling constitutionally well (which would categorise them as substage a– more on this later) and the potential diagnosis of cancer is often quite a shock to the owner. Some forms of canine lymphoma do cause the patient to feel unwell quite quickly (substage b) and so other presentations of this disease can include dyspnoea (with a finding of pleural effusion and a mediastinal mass), gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhoea and general lethargy with pyrexia of unknown origin.
Basic diagnostic testing
Baseline haematology, biochemistry and urinalysis are a great starting point to provide some prognostic and more general information about the patient’s current status. It is not uncommon for bloodwork to be completely unremarkable, and in fact this is quite preferable for the patient as it means we are not looking at concurrent organ dysfunction which will make chemotherapy administration more straight-forward. Silent urinary tract infections are quite common in canine patients with lymphoma and best identified and treated prior to institution of chemotherapy so that this does not become a source of systemic sepsis if myelosuppression due to treatment is encountered.
Fine needle aspirates of the enlarged peripheral lymph nodes or internal abnormal structures (like a gastrointestinal mass or mediastinal mass) are an excellent place to start with diagnosis. Care needs to be taken with the collection of cellular samples from these patients as lymphocytes are incredibly fragile. It is best NOT to use any negative pressure/suction when obtaining aspirates and being very gentle when smearing your slides is vital. It is best to obtain four to eight samples from at least two sites if possible and stain one side to check that the cellular content is intact and you are not submitting multiple slides with crushed cells. In-house cytologic evaluation is often possible but external pathology submission is
highly recommended as there is the potential for immunophenotyping (see below) on cytology samples which can provide us with a B-cell vs T-cell diagnosis (prognostic and therapeutic implications).
If cytologic samples have failed to definitively diagnose lymphoma then abiopsy may be required. If though, sufficient good quality cytologic samples have been obtained then it is highly likely a diagnosis of lymphoma and immunophenotyping can be performed without the need for a biopsy. If however, a biopsy is required, then excision of a whole lymph node is preferred to incisional samples being taken.
Imaging tests such as abdominal ultrasound and thoracic radiography are helpful additional tests to perform when a patient is diagnosed with lymphoma. While not mandatory,they can provide information regarding stage (liver and splenic involvement would classify the patient as stage 4) as well as identify other concurrent concerns or sites for monitoring of remission. If there are financial
concerns or the acquisition of this test information is going to significantly delay starting chemotherapy for a patient with lymphoma then it is fine to proceed WITHOUT these imaging tests being done as there is no significant prognostic (or therapeutic) difference between a patient who is in stage 3 and stage 4/5.
Advanced diagnostic testing
If cytology has obtained a diagnosis of ‘suspected’ or confirmed lymphoma, then the pathologist will indicate if samples are adequate for the additional staining involved with immunocytochemistry.This additional test, places special antibody-mediated stains on the slides to determine if the population of neoplastic cells are predominantly B-cell or T-cell in origin.
If cytologic samples are unable to obtain a diagnosis and a biopsy is performed, then immunohistochemistry (the same principle as immunocytochemistr y but just performed on histology samples) can be performed to determine B-cell vs T-cell lymphoma.
Figure 1. Plain diff-quik stained cytology of a lymphoma sample.
Picture George Reppas
Figure 2. Same patients immunocytochemistry sample, brown staining of cells indicates B lymphocytes, pink staining (CD3) indicates T-lymphocytes, this is a T-cell lymphoma. Picture George Reppas
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Another test to consider that may provide some additional prognostic information above that of immunophenotype for lymphoma would be flow cytometry. This is a test that is performed on live cells in a fluid medium and runs this fluid through a specialised machine that can evaluate cell surface and internal markers. This can provide a panel of results much more extensive than just immunophenotyping.
This test can be performed on aspirate samples of peripheral or internal sites that are likely to be lymphoma as well as on circulating whole blood ifthere is evidence of stage 5 disease (circulating neoplastic cells). One specific situation that flow cytometry can be incredibly helpful is to distinguish between cranial mediastinal T-cell lymphoma and a thymoma in a patient with a large intrathoracic mass. One of the markers that is assessed with flow cytometrycan often indicate which diagnosis we are dealing with, and this would mean that the patient avoids the need for a biopsy.
At this point in time, Vetnostics/Laverty are theonly pathology service with a machine to run this test and it is vitally important that cells remain alive for processing. There is specific sample collection information on their website, and it is important that samples arrive atthe laboratory for processing within 48 hours of collection.
Inrare situations, a diagnosis of lymphoma cannot be definitively reached with any of theabove tests. If however, suspicion is high and all other signs point to lymphoma being likely, PARR (PCR for antigen receptor rearrangement) can sometimes help. This is a PCR test that looks a clonality of the lymphocytes. So this can often tell us if the lymphocytes within a sample are all from the same clone (monoclonal) and therefore more likely to be neoplastic than a heterogenous lymphocyte population that more likely reflects an inflammatory picture. Unfortunately PARR testing can take up to six weeks for results to return but luckily its use is only rarely required.
Prognostic factors
It is important to remember that stage (1-5) see table, is not the most important prognostic factor in a patient with lymphoma. There is some survival advantage to being in stage 1 or 2 at diagnosis but NO difference in prognosis between patients who are stage 3, 4 or 5. So this is why additional imaging testing and bone marrow examination is not a mandatory part of the diagnostic pathway in a patient with suspected lymphoma.
Stage Characteristic
Stage 1 Involvement of a single node or lymphoid tissue
Stage 2 Regional involvement of multiple lymph nodes on one side of the diaphragm
Stage 5 Involvement of extra-nodal tissues such as blood, bone marrow CNS, GIT, renal etc
Table 1. Stages of lymphoma
Figure 3. Plain H & E samples from a patient lymph node biopsy of a patient with lymphoma. Picture David Taylor
Figure4. Immunohistochemistry using PAX5 (brown) indicating this is a B-cell lymphoma. Picture David Taylor
Figure 5. Flow cytometry results for a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia (not lymphoma). Cytologically these cells can look verysimilar,and flow cytometryis one of the few tests to allow differentiation
Figure6. CT image and flow cytometryresults of a large cranial mediastinal mass diagnosed as a thymoma and NOT lymphoma
Substage (a vs b) refers to the presentation of the patient and being assessed as being well (substage a) or unwell (substage b) due to their lymphoma. This is quite a vague statement and there are not strict criteria to define what ‘unwell’ means. But a patient who has any or all of the following would technically be classified as substage b:
■ Vomiting or diarrhoea (acute or chronic duration)
■ Hypercalcaemia with PUPD +/-azotaemia
■ Lethargy, inappetence and pyrexia (of any duration)
There is significant prognostic impact of substage for patients with lymphoma and those who present as substage a, have a much better expected response to treatment (response rates up to 90 per cent) and potential survival times >12 months. This is one of the reasons why it is important to start treatment as soon as possible for a patient with suspected lymphoma, as we would not want significant delays to result inasubstage a patient becoming a substage bpatient.
There is ongoing conjecture and discussion regarding the prognostic impact of phenotype onlymphoma. The majority of canine multicentric lymphoma patients will have B-cell lymphoma (approximately 75 per cent) and this has been historically referred to as the ‘better’ type to have. T-cell lymphoma is more commonlyassociated with patients presenting in substage b, and as this is an independent prognostic factor, this may have more influence on prognosis that phenotype on its own. Many oncologists approach treatment differently for B-cell vs T-cell lymphoma (more below) and with atailored approach we usually expect remission times of 12 months for B-cell and 10 months for T-cell.
Another important prognostic factor for lymphoma is the pursuant of treatment. For patients whose families decline chemotherapy and elect palliative care, expectations of survival are often only 6-12 weeks. Combination chemotherapy is the gold-standard and remission times often exceed 12 months. Single-agent chemotherapy is a middle ground, but expectation of survival is around six months.
Treatment options
Combination chemotherapy protocols such as CHOP/VELCAP represent the standard of care for canine B-cell lymphoma. These protocols both contain vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and prednisolone with differing schedules of administration. Response rates are around 80-90 per cent for these combinations and median survival times 12 months (with 20 per cent of patients still alive at two years).
At this point in time there is no strong information to differentiate any significant benefit to one type of protocol compared to the other. Treatment is generally very well-tolerated with side effects seen in under 30 per cent of patients and many of these side effects being mild and self-resolving with owner provided care at home. Combination chemotherapy for T-cell lymphoma often involves protocols containing more alkylating agents (a class of chemotherapy drug) as we know that T-lymphocytes are less likely to be able to form resistance mechanisms to this class of drug. LOPP-based protocols or VELCAP-T protocols both incorporate the oral alkylating agent Lomustine/CCNU which is one of the more active agents for this disease. This type of chemotherapy protocol often requires owners to administer chemotherapy at home, so care needs to be taken with patient and client selection. Response rates sit around 70-80 per cent for this combination approach. Treatment is generally very well-tolerated with side effects seen in fewer than 30 per cent of patients and many of these side effects being mild and self-resolving with owner provided care at home.
Single agent chemotherapy will often involve treatment every three weeks for five doses of one agent. For B-cell lymphoma, the best single agent approach is using doxorubicin and for T-cell lymphoma it would be Lomustine/CCNU. This is a much more spaced-out chemotherapy approach and a nice ‘middle ground’ for families and patients who are not pursuing combination chemotherapy. Expectations of response are around 75 per cent for both B and Tcell disease and with both agents but median remission times are often only 6 months.
Palliation for lymphoma often involves the use of corticosteroids on an increasing schedule. There can be some direct cytolytic effects of prednisolone for this disease and it is not uncommon for owners to report significant reduction in lymph node size within a few days of starting therapy.Generally we see disease recurrence and progression after around six to eight weeks of palliative steroid therapy and at that point, euthanasia is pursued.
It is important to note that long term prednisolone
use prior to the use of chemotherapy can be implicated in a lower response rate to chemotherapy due to the development of chemotherapy drug resistance. There is no known duration of therapy or dose of steroids that will guarantee this occurring but as a rule it is best not to use steroids for more than 2 weeks prior to institution of chemotherapy.
How to nurse
At the time of diagnosis, veterinary nurses are likely involved with patient care during the diagnostic process. None of the procedures that are being undertaken are likely significantly painful, except for lymph node biopsies, if obtained but advocating for the use of anti-emetic medications in patients who appear nauseated or have a reduced appetite can be helpful. Measurement of the enlarged peripheral lymph nodes at presentation and recording these measurements in the patient file is also agreat way to help monitor patient response to chemotherapy if pursued.
Figure7. Measurement of an enlarged lymph node with callipers
Apatient diagnosed with lymphoma is likely to undergo treatment with chemotherapy. While the risk of side effects in these patients is low (under 30 per cent) the most common situations where nursing care is going to be of vital importance is when a patient presents to the clinic after chemotherapy and is unwell.
Upon presentation, obtaining a rectal temperature is the first vital step in evaluation of a patient suspected to be unwell post chemotherapy. Finding pyrexia is a warning sign that they may have a low white blood cell count and be dealing with possible infection. Assessment of hydration status is also important, especially in patients who present with a history of gastrointestinal signs like vomiting, diarrhoea and reduced appetite.
Haematology and biochemistr y bloodwork is often the first diagnostic step for a patient presenting to the clinic unwell after chemotherapy administration. The finding of a low total white blood cell count and specifically neutropenia (neutrophils under 1.0) would indicate that the patient is likely feeling unwell as a direct result of chemotherapy and myelosuppression. Nursing of a neutropenic patient is of vital importance; we need to treat these patients in a similar manner to those that present with infectious/transmissible diseases and use barrier nursing techniques;
■ Careful IV placement and sterile wrapping
■ Covering of all IV ports, with cleaning prior to injections
■ Hospitalisation in an area of the hospital usually away from the general population with barrier nursing protocols implicated Often these patients will be hospitalised for 24-48hours with IV fluid, antiemetic and antibiotic treatments required. Their white blood cell counts do not have to be normal to have them discharged from the hospital but they should ideally be self-supporting and eating so that oral versions of their in-hospital medications can continue at home.
References
1. Argyle DJ, Pecceu E. Canine and feline lymphoma: challenges and opportunities for creating aparadigm shift. Vet Comp Oncol. 2016 Aug;14 Suppl 1:1-7. doi: 10.1111/vco.12253. PMID: 27505685.
2. Barber LG, Weishaar KM. Criteria for designation of clinical substage in canine lymphoma: asurvey of veterinary oncologists. Vet Comp Oncol 2016 Aug;14 Suppl 1:32-9. doi:10.1111/vco. 12086. Epub 2014 Feb 23. PMID: 27508350.
3. Best MP, Straw RC, Gumpel E, Fry DR. Longterm remission and survival in dogs with high-grade, B cell lymphoma treated with chemotherapy with or without sequential low-dose rate half-body irradiation. JVet Intern Med. 2023 Nov-Dec;37(6):2368-2374. doi: 10.1111/jvim.16840. Epub 2023 Sep 12. PMID: 37700548; PMCID: PMC10658474.
5.Rosenthal RC. Lymphoma in dogs: chemotherapy. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1996 Jan;26(1):63-71. doi:10.1016/s015616(96) 50006-9. PMID: 8825566.
chemotherapy drug dose escalation in dogs with multicentric lymphoma. JVet Intern Med. 2023 Nov-Dec;37(6):2402-2409. doi:10.1111/jvim. 10.1111/jvim.16875. Epub 2023 Oct 3. PMID: 37787577; PMCID: PMC10658528.
7.0Skor O, Bicanová L, Wolfesberger B, FuchsBaumgartinger A, Ruetgen B, ·tìrbová M, Schwendenwein I, Kleiter M. Are B-symptoms more reliable prognostic indicators than substage in canine nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Vet Comp Oncol. 2021 Mar;19(1): 201-208. doi: 10.1111/vco.12661. Epub 2020 Nov 23. PMID: 33136315; PMCID: PMC7894295.
8.Thamm DH. Novel Treatments for Lymphoma. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2024 May;54(3):477-490. doi: 8. 10.1016/j.cvsm. 10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.12.004. Epub 2024 Jan 10. PMID: 38199913.
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!
Figure 8. Careful patient handling when placing an IV cannula and during general hospital care
Greencross celebrates conference excellence
The2024 Greencross Pet Wellness Company Clinical Symposium and Leadership Conference recently concluded, bringing together veterinary professionals from across Australia for a weekend dedicated to clinical learning, leadership insights, and celebrating exceptional achievements in pet health and wellness. Held at the RACV Royal Pines, the conference welcomed more than 1,400 team members, including veterinarians, nurses, and retail managers from Greencross Vets, The Animal Referral & Emergency Network (AREN), and Petbarn stores.
Across two days, attendees had access to 70 lectures spanning seven educational streams focused on General Practice (GP), Emergency & Critical Care (ECC), clinician wellness, and leadership for veterinary and retail staff. Platinum sponsor Zoetis supported the event with engaging clinical sessions for vets and nurses and hosted the conference’s themed event on Saturday night.
In line with this year’stheme, “For the Love of Pets,” the symposium highlighted the dedication of Greencross and AREN teams to enhancing pet health through cuttingedge knowledge and compassionate care. Participants heard from industry experts on the latest innovations in the field and connected with colleagues to share insights and best practices.
Ahighlight of the event was the award ceremony honoring outstanding individuals and teams for their contributions to veterinary
excellence, collaboration, and compassionate care.. Michelle Dries, Chief Operating Officer of Greencross Pet Wellness Company, praised the awardees:
“This year’s Clinical Symposium and Leadership Conference has been our best one yet, exceeding expectations. It provided a fantastic opportunity for our veterinary and retail teams to collaborate and share their knowledge. We are proud to honor the incredible talent and commitment of our award recipients.”
2024 Award Winners:
■ Better Together: Greencross Kedron, Animal Emergency Centre (AEC) Kedron, and Petbarn Kedron
■ Collaborative Case of the Year: ARH Brisbane internal medicine and neurology & Greencross Chandlers
■ Vet Supplier of the Year:MSD
■ AREN Vet Nurse of the Year: Carly Hatchman, ARH Gosford
■ AREN Team Leader of the Year: Rachael Mallia, Greencross Veterinary Hospital
■ AREN Vet of the Year: Dr. Stephanie Turner, AEC Gold Coast
■ AREN Specialist of the Year: Dr. Leah Wright, Veterinary Referral Hospital
■ AREN Team of the Year: Veterinary Referral Hospital
■ GP Vet Nurse of the Year: Amber Stewart, Greencross Paradise
■ GP Vet Director of the Year: Dr. Gustav Dippenaar,Greencross Biggera Waters
■ GP Practice Manager of the Year: Holly Cuneo, Greencross North Parramatta
■ GP Vet Grad of the Year: Dr. Taylor Armstrong, Greencross Southport
■ GP Vet Associate of the Year: Dr. Sanduni Jayaweera, Greencross North Parramatta & Greencross Minchinbury
■ GPTeam/Clinic of the Year: Greencross South Morang
■ GP Region of the Year: WA: Abigail McGougan, Avril Gollow, Rebecca Goldstein
Greencross Pet Wellness Company’s commitment to leadership, education, and innovation continues to shape the future of pet health in Australia, promoting a standard of excellence that benefits both pets and their owners.
The Greencross Clinical Symposium & Leadership Conference will return in 2025, with dates and venue to be announced soon.
Owners maintain premium diets despite cost
A recent survey highlights Australian pet owners’ strong commitment to their pets’ health and diet despite rising living costs. Even as financial pressures mount, over half of Aussie pet parents report that they won’t compromise on food quality for their furry companions. The survey shows that 57 per cent of pet owners refuse to downgrade their pets' high-quality food, with dog owners slightly more dedicated (59 per cent) compared to cat owners (52 per cent). Health and nutrition remain top
priorities, with 80 per cent of pet owners believing their pets deserve a diet as healthy as their own. Palatability is another significant factor, as half of respondents consider their pets' taste preferences when selecting food. Many pet owners are also conscious of allergies: 46 per cent acknowledge that food allergies can affect pets but feel uncertain about which foods are safe if issues arise. While 58 per cent of dog owners and 50 per cent of cat owners feel informed about allergies, many remain vigilant by
observing signs like excessive scratching or decreased playfulness as indicators of potential dietary issues.
The findings coincide with Addiction Pet Foods’ recent arrival in Australia, aiming to address common dietary challenges like allergies and sensitivities with specialized products. Pet behaviorist. Kate Mornement commends Aussie pet owners for their dedication, noting that quality diets can benefit pets’ physical and mental health, potentially reducing
behavioural issues and long-term veterinary expenses. Mornement highlights that diets emphasising natural ingredients, grain-free options, and novel proteins can support overall health and even improve behaviour.
With 90 per cent of respondents recognizing the link between nutrition and their pets’ health, the survey indicates that Australian pet parents are making thoughtful choices to ensure their pets’ long-term wellness. Mornement said that this commitment helps pets lead healthier, happier lives, setting a high standard for pet care across the nation.
MSD Animal Health has introduced a new canine vaccine, Nobivac Lepto 2, specifically targeting leptospirosis serovars prevalent in Australia. This vaccine is timely, addressing a significant need as veterinarians and pet owners face increasing cases of canine leptospirosis, azoonotic disease known to cause severe, sometimes fatal infections in dogs.
Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease transmitted primarily through contact with contaminated water or the urine of wildlife and rodent hosts, poses risks in both rural and urban environments. Australian studies have identified serovars Australis and Icterohaemorrhagiae as recurrent sources of infection among dogs across states like Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Until now,Australia’s vaccine options were limited, with many clinics relying on a monovalent vaccine. The vaccine fills this gap, offering dual-serogroup protection that aligns with the regional threats.
Recent data underscores the pressing need for enhanced leptospirosis protection. Dr. Christine Griebsch of the University of Sydney reports a marked increase in cases across New South Wales, with more than 36 confirmed
incidences in Sydney since 2017 and additional outbreaks in areas like Newcastle and Shoalhaven. Likewise, tropical regions such as Far North Queensland and the Northern Territorycontinue to report high leptospirosis incidence due to environmental conditions conducive to transmission.
According to Agriculture Victoria, 35 cases were reported between January 2017 and December 2023, with fatal outcomes in 37 per cent of these cases. MSD’s new vaccine enables veterinarians to offer vital protection to dogs as young as six weeks old with a two-dose initial vaccination course, followed by an annual booster.
Available in 50-dose packs, Nobivac Lepto 2 provides a new tool for Australian veterinary clinics aiming to curb this disease and protect both canine and human health.
References
1. Griebsch C, Kirkwood N, Ward MP & Norris JM. Serological evidence of exposure of healthy dogs to Leptospira in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal. 2024; 102(4): 215-221. doi: 10.1111/ avj.13315.
2. Orr B, Westman ME, Malik R, Purdie A, Craig SB & Norris JM, Leptospirosis is an emerging infectious disease of pig-hunting dogs and humans in North Queensland. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2022;16(1): 0010100. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pntd.0010100
3. Agriculture Victoria, Vet Watch – April Edition 2024. https://createsend.com/t/r- 60A3F9900 ECD56732540EF23F30FEDED.
4. Product label
5. Griebsch et al., “Canine Leptospirosis: Exposure and Risk,” Australian Veterinary Journal,2024; 102(4): 215-221.
6. Sykes et al, Updated ACVIM consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs, JVet Intern Med.2023; 37:1966–1
7. WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group, “2024 Guidelines for Dog and Cat Vaccination,” Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2024; 65(5): 277-316.
8. Miller RI, Ross SP, Sullivan ND, Perkins NR. Clinical and epidemiological features of canine leptospirosis in North Queensland. Aust Vet J.2007 Jan-Feb;85(1-2):13-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2006.00089.x.PMID: 17300446.
Sick lizard breakthrough
From page 3
a pulse rate was successfully obtained in all by placing the flat probe over the location of the temporoorbital artery. Further research is needed to determine whether the Doppler is sensitive enough to detect irregularities in pulse; however, in the meantime, the researchers believe that merely picking up a lack of normal pulses could be used as a means of determining whether further investigation is required in in cases where retiles present to veterinarians with illnesses.
As the popularity of reptiles as pets continues to rise, it is imperative that the medicine
Spotting the genome
Frompage 1
“We’re one of only three teams globally using this protocol, and we customised the entire process – from the set-up of the lab to the bioinformatics software – to sequence a high-quality genome from poor-quality DNA. A process that used to take six to twelve months, can now be accomplished in days, so this technology holds huge promise for our understanding and conservation of endangered species across Australia and around the world,” Pandey said. CSIRO’s multi-pronged approach to conserving the spotted handfish includes a captive breeding program, as well as innovative approaches to habitat restoration. (The Veterinarian,March 2023.)
■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT
Abstracts - shearing
From page 19
FScaglione-Sanson1,K Neimaur-Fernández2,I CantouMayol2,C Abreu-Palermo3, P Rodríguez-Gamarra4,J R González-Montaña5,L G CalPereyra3 NZ Vet J. 2024 Oct 7:1-9.doi: 10.1080/00480169.2024.2405021.
1Ruminant Health Academic Unit, Department of Animal Production and Productive System Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay.
2Sheep, Wool and Goats Academic Unit, Department of Animal Production and Productive System Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay.
3Pathology Academic Unit, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay.
4Institutional Planning and Evaluation Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay.
5Department of Veterinar y Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of León, León, Spain.
trainers charged advances with them, and this begins with a thorough physical examination. With this novel technique to assess peripheral pulses in snakes, veterinarians can add another step to
further enhance a comprehensive physical examination of their reptilian patients.
■ JULIAGARDINER
Horse
From page 5 property, situated along the western side ofthe Tamar Valley in the state’s north.
“While in the wash bay, horses were tied up and fitted with blinds and/or earplugs. As [these] were removed a harness whip, encased in a plastic bag to exacerbate the noise levels, was used by Ben Yole and Tim Yole to deploy physical abuse, whilst also making loud and excessive noise, including shouting, to frighten and terrorise the horse,” the report stated.
Dayle Brown, chair of the Independent Stewards Panel said the Yole brothers faced additional allegations that related to the administration of rule-breaking oral pastes and injections to horses.
“There are three outstanding matters pursuant to our direction from the Office of Racing Integrity Director. Those matters are still being considered and will be resolved in the next 14 days,” he said.
Minister Howlett said a departmental committee overseeing the report’s implementation had reported more time was required to consider evidence still under consideration.
“I’m appalled and quite frankly, disgusted, at the findings and I’m
Taronga training applications open
From page 1 examination, diagnosis and treatment of wildlife (native reptiles, birds and mammals), as well as participate in atour of a wildlife hospital’sfacilities
Abstracts - surgeon experience
From page 12 especially during pedicle clamping. Respiratory rate and end-tidal isoflurane levels were higher in the GIS group at specific surgical stages. Survival analysis indicated that the GIS group had a greater need for fentanyl.
Postoperative pain scores were generally low, but a higher proportion of GIS cats required rescue analgesia.
Conclusions :Surgeon experience influences intraoperative parameters and fentanyl consumption. Inexperienced surgeons contribute to increased postoperative pain and poorer wound healing outcomes in cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy.
Lorenzo S B Cavagnari1,Vanessa
S
pleased action has now been taken. As Minister, I demand a Tasmanian racing industry where people care for their animals and participate with integrity. As I’ve said many times, the overwhelming majority of participants in the industry do the right thing and, together, we’ll keep working to ensure that all three codes of racing thrive across Tasmania,” she said.
While she welcomed the laying of charges against the Yoles, state Independent MP Kristie Johnston said the Liberals had done enormous damage to Tasmania’s racing industry with their ‘shambolic and completely inadequate’ response, and she is not holding her breath about successful prosecutions.
“I hope I’m proven wrong, and these individuals will never be allowed to race again or be responsible for the care of any animal. Those named in the Independent Stewards Report should be stood down immediately. Allowing them to continue to race is undermining honest industry participants, and it’s a mark of gross incompetence by the Office of Racing Integrity that it’s taken them so long to consider if Ben and Tim Yole are fit and proper people to hold a harness trainer licence,” Johnson said.
■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT
to learn about post-treatment care of wildlife.
Applications for Semester 1 close on November 30 midnight.
■ JULIAGARDINER
Padilha2,Ronise Tocheto3,Bruna D C Regalin4,Helena M C Pissetti5, Felipe Comassetto1,Nilson Oleskovicz1
JAm Vet Med Assoc. 2024 Oct 16:1-10. doi: 10.2460/javma.24.05.0293.
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Agroveterinary Sciences, Santa Catarina State University, Lages, Brazil.
2Department of Biosciences and One Health, School of Rural Sciences, Curitibanos Campus, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Curitibanos, Brazil.
3Department of Health Sciences, Campos Novos Campus, University of West Santa Catarina, Campos Novos, Brazil.
4Veterinar y Hospital, Federal University of Jataí, Jataí, Brazil. 5Focus College, Cascavel, Brazil.
Abstracts - sedation quality in sheep and goats
From page 19 (11 of 20 animals total). Hypotension was seen in 3 of 10 goats.
Conclusions: In sheep and goats, ZEN at 0.06 mL/kg, IM, caused profound sedation. Total sedation time was significantly longer in goats than in sheep.
Clinical relevance: In the presence of oxygen supplementation, ZEN at 0.06 mL/kg, IM, may be an acceptable sedation choice for apparently healthy Gulf Coast native and Katahdin sheep, but not goats; however, preexisting hypokalemia or pulmonary disease are contraindications for the use of ZEN in sheep.
Alaina A Kuehr1,Andrew J T Muir1,Chin-Chi Liu1,Elizabeth J Benton-Levith2,Clare M Scully1,Jeannette Cremer1
JAm Vet Med Assoc. 2024 Oct 25: 1-7.doi: 10.2460/javma.24.08.0497.
11Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University,Baton Rouge, LA.
22Department of Clinical Sciences, College of VeterinaryMedicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
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Abstracts - efficient traceability
From page 19 of stakeholders and producers on sheep and goat traceability and recommendations to address barriers identified, based on education and appropriate behavioural and technical support.
MHernandez-Jover12,L Hayes12,J Manyweathers12,T Marriott3,M B Allworth12 Aust Vet J. 2024 Nov;102(11): 576-593.doi: 10.1111/avj.13370.
1School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinar y Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
2Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. 3NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, New South Wales, Australia.
