Dubbo’s first spring delivery a tall order
Pharmaceutical pollution impacting fish
An international study led by biologists from Monash University and Italy’s University of Tuscia, published recently in the Journal of Animal Ecology , has revealed how long-term exposure to the pharmaceutical pollutants that are now widespread throughout the world’s ecosystems, is dramatically altering fish behaviour, life history, and reproductive traits.
The five-year observational investigation focussed on wildcaught guppies (Poecilia reticulata) that were exposed to three environmentally relevant concentrations of fluoxetine (sold as Prozac) across multiple generations. Their behaviour, physical condition and reproductive health was then meticulously tested after five years of exposure to the pollutant.
Antidepressants like fluoxetine are often introduced through wastewater discharge and are known to be a pervasive issue in water bodies globally. They persist at low levels in rivers, lakes and
oceans but the full impact of the chemicals on the behaviour and reproductive success of aquatic wildlife has been unclear.
Male guppies were the focus of the study due to their heightened sensitivity to environmental shifts, particularly in relation to their behaviour, body condition and reproduction.
Lead author Upama Aich, a behavioural evolutionary biologist at MU’s School of Biological Sciences said even at low concentrations fluoxetine altered the male guppies’ body condition, increasing the size of their gonopodium – a modified anal fin used as a reproductive organwhile simultaneously reducing sperm velocity which is an essential factor for reproductive success.
“Fluoxetine exposure disrupted the natural correlations between key traits. For instance, the expected link between activity levels and body condition, and between gonopodium To page 30
Taronga Western Plains Zoo has welcomed its first spring arrival with the birth of a male giraffe calf, born to experienced mother Mvita on August 23, 2024.
Zookeeper Ruby Cullen said the team arrived early to find Mvita in the early stages of labour. “She chose to give birth in our behind-thescenes night yard, so we were able to monitor the entire process, which was an amazing experience for some of our team witnessing their first giraffe birth.”
The calf was born in the mid-afternoon and was standing and suckling by 5:30 pm. Mvita, who was born at the Zoo in 2011, is an experienced mother and quickly bonded with her newborn. “As soon as the calf was on the ground, she was very attentive, ensuring it stood up as soon as possible,” Cullen said.
This week, Mvita and her calf have ventured out into the paddock with the herd, which includes the calf’s father, Mtoto. Giraffe mothers tend to “stash” their calves in safe areas, and Mvita has found a quiet spot towards the back of the paddock where other experienced mothers in the herd have helped with calfsitting duties.
The new calf is expected to grow in confidence and begin exploring more of the paddock in the coming weeks. This is the first of several expected deliveries in the Zoo’s giraffe herd this spring. “Our breeding bull Mtoto has been busy, and we expect up to five more calves in the next few weeks,” Cullen said. To page 30
ONTHEINSIDE
Survival of marine species under threat from extreme weather
Climate change is now widely understood to be a risk for global biodiversity as ecosystems and species are disrupted by weather extremes that affect habitats, food availability and breeding success. A study published recently in the journal Global Change Biology has highlighted the need for greater understanding
about how severe weather is impacting species during their breeding season, when they are at their most vulnerable.
Researchers from Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies assessed the climate risk for 53 marine predator species across southeast Australia and nearby Antarctic territory and developed a climate change risk assessment framework based on the findings.
Lead author Milan Sojitra, a PhD student affiliated with the ARC Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Sciences, who is based at IMAS, said seabirds, seals and penguins are particularly vulnerable. Their dual dependency on landbased breeding sites, and the ocean to find food, puts them at risk from changes to both habitats.
“Young seabirds, seals and penguins are highly sensitive to external threats such as severe weather, To page 30
voice.
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High-tech dog mannequin aids TAFE training Playpens for calves
A cutting-edge canine mannequin, recently introduced at TAFE NSW Kingscliff, is providing veterinary nursing students with an invaluable, hands-on learning experience. The lifelike mannequin, imported from the US – and affectionately named Barbara – allows students to practice essential clinical skills in a safe and controlled environment.
Gemma Holland, a local veterinarian and TAFE NSW Kingscliff animal studies teacher, highlighted the advantages of using the mannequin for training. "The veterinary simulation mannequin gives students the opportunity to practice crucial techniques such as intubation, intravenous catheterisation, venipuncture, CPR, bandaging, and ear cleaning without the risk of harming a live animal," she explained.
“Simulators like Barbara are key in helping students master the processes and procedures they'll later apply to real animals during their work placements,” Ms Holland added. “This technology is especially beneficial for first aid training, as students can practice CPR using feedback monitors, which show a green light when the technique is performed correctly.”
The introduction of this advanced tool comes at a pivotal moment for vet nursing in Australia, with the number of veterinary nurses expected to soar to 17,800 by 2026. As pet ownership continues to rise, the demand for skilled veterinary professionals is growing rapidly.
One of the program’s current students, Phoebe Viscardi, 38, recently transitioned from acareer in aged care to veterinary nursing. Now studying for her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, Phoebe balances her coursework with her role as a veterinary nurse. She emphasises the value of hands-on training: “Working with alifelike mannequin like Barbara closely mimics how you’d handle a real animal. You simply can’t gain the same practical skills with a stuffed animal. The course’s practical components, along with the world-class equipment at TAFE NSW Kingscliff, have really boosted my confidence in my new career.”
The inclusion of Barbara in the curriculum ensures that students at TAFE NSW Kingscliff are receiving high-quality, realistic training to prepare them for the demands of a growing industry.
Antarctic at risk from hitchhikers
Numerous studies have highlighted the risks to the world’s oceans, waterways and marine life from plastic pollution, but a study published recently in the journal Global Change Biology found Antarctica’s unique ecosystems are also increasingly threatened by the arrival of plastic debris and non-native marine species as the waters around the continent warm, opening more ice-free regions.
Lead author Hannah Dawson, a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Tasmania said the increased abundance of plastics, other human-made debris and a range of small marine invertebrates meant potentially more opportunities for biota to reach Antarctica.
“Weknew kelp could raft to Antarctica from sub-Antarctic islands, such as Macquarie and Kerguelen Islands, but our study suggests that floating objects can reach Antarctica from much further north, including South America, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa,” she said.
It was previously known that a range of marine species including crustaceans, molluscs and sponges were able to hitch a ride on giant kelp and southern bull kelp species that offer aforest-like habitat for a lot of small animals, but researchers said if these creatures colonised Antarctica they could dramatically alter the region’s marine ecosystems.
The study involved modelling surface current and wave data from 1997 to 2015 and tracking the movement of floating debris from various Southern Hemisphere land sources toward Antarctica to provide valuable new insight into the frequency and pathways of marine dispersal.
Co-author Adele Morrison from Australian National University’sResearch School of Earth Sciences said this enabled the team to analyse
how frequent the rafting connections were by simulating dispersal pathways across 19 years of differing oceanographic conditions.
“Wefound that rafting objects reached the Antarctic coastline in each of the years simulated. There seems to be a constant bombardment of anything that floats – whether it’skelp or aplastic bottle,” she said.
Dawson likened the computer modelling to the game of ‘Poohsticks’ from A. A. Milne’s children’s classic Winnie the Pooh
“Imagine dropping a stick into a river and then running downstream to see where it ends up–that’s essentially what we do with our modelling, using simulated ocean currents, instead of a river.
“We released millions of virtual particles –representing drift objects – from each of the source land masses and modelled their trajectories across 19 years of estimated surface ocean currents and surface waves. After running the simulations, we were able to see where they would likely end up. The shortest time it took for particles to reach the Antarctic coastline was from Macquarie Island, south of New Zealand, some of which arrived in just under nine months. On average the longest journey was for objects released from South America,” she said.
The research also suggested the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, the region where most rafting objects first arrive, are most at risk from non-native species so the dramatic drop in Antarctic sea ice in the past few years is of particular concern.
“Sea ice is very abrasive and so acts as a barrier for many non-native species to successfully establish around Antarctica. To page 30
Anyone who has watched lambs or calves frolicking and careering around a paddock chasing each other, knows that these young animals, just like young children, love to play, but while zoos have recognised the importance of enrichment programs that give captive-bred juveniles a creative outlet for their physical and mental stimulation, a research project led by a student at the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Agriculture is looking at how toys may also benefit the dairy industry.
Fourth year Honours student Rhiannon Cox returned to her hometown in Tasmania’s north-west to run a six-week trial at the TIA’s Dairy Research Facility at Elliott to look at the role of toys in the calf shed and the kind of enrichment activities the calves appear interested in, and which type they choose to interact with. Her research will also include the connection toys may have in reducing stress levels, and increased weight gain which are important indicators for calves.
“Previous research has found the environment in a calf shed has a significant impact on the welfare of dairy cows and can set them up for life. We’re aiming to identify practical things that farmers can easily implement on their farm without spending lots of money,” she said.
Rhiannon Cox
Enrichment activities that enable animals to display biologically relevant behaviours, such as suckling, appear to be more beneficial than objects that serve no real purpose like a bouncy ball.
“You see children playing with toys all the time as a way of emulating behaviours and animals aren’t so different. The calves have instincts they want to practice and learn, and you can see this when they suckle and chew on everything. They often suckle on fixtures in a calf pen, bedding or other animals, and this can lead to health problems. The introduction of enrichment activities can safely redirect behaviour and will hopefully lead to animals that are less stressed and more productive later in life,” Cox said.
To monitor the calves’ behaviour video cameras have been set up near their pens that will record how they interact with the toys while humans are not around. The three toys being assessed in the trial are balls filled with hay, bouncy balls and an object called a teething star.
“Hopefully they’ll be tired after playing with the enrichment toys and will go for a nap instead of becoming bored and going to nibble on their friend’s ear, or something that isn’t safe.”
Happier and healthier calves are an important issue for farmers and consumers alike. Farmers bond with their animals and consumers increasingly want to know their milk and meat comes from happy, contented animals. Enrichment activities in a calf pen can play an important role in achieving this outcome.
■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT
Phoebe Viscardi performing a simulated intubation on the canine mannequin, with TAFE NSW Animal Care & Management teacher, Gemma Holland
News from across the network
updates from Australia’s largest specialty and emergency veterinary network
ACT
Hydrotherapy service now at Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) Canberra
ARH Canberra is excited to announce its state-of-the-art hydrotherapy service, designed to revolutionise rehabilitation and ftness for pets. The new facility offers a controlled, low-impact environment to aid in post-surgical recoveries such as TPLOs and spinal surgery, and the treatment of conditions such as osteoarthritis, elbow/hip dysplasia, weight loss, fitness, tendinopathy and more. The therapeutic benefits of hydrotherapy include pain relief, increased mobility and enhanced muscle strength, ensuring pets can enjoy a higher quality of life. This service is led by Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist Dr Ah Young Kim, DVM, MS, CCRT, CVA, DACVSMR with assistance from Amanda Magee, a highly qualified nurse with a Certificate IV Veterinary Nurse, a Diploma in Veterinary Surgical Nursing and Certificate in Hydrotherapy.
For referrals and enquiries contact (02) 6280 6344
NSW
New Dedicated Vet Referral Line at Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) Homebush
ARH Homebush is dedicated to fostering a seamless and supportive partnership with general practice clinics. Our team has received feedback for an easier and faster connection for referrals and advice. ARH Homebush has introduced a new telephone line dedicated to referring vets. The dedicated phone number (02) 9183 6788 will be answered by a dedicated senior clinical team for referral vets, who are here to answer any referral questions or to facilitate advice on a case.
Call the ARH Homebush dedicated vet referral line on (02) 9183 6788
VIC
New CT Machine at Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) Essendon Fields
ARH Essendon Fields has recently upgraded its CT to a GE Optima 520 to ensure improved patient outcomes. The CT is used extensively by all departments within the hospital for clear and prompt diagnosis of many diseases and disorders including tumour detection, assessment and staging; nasal cavity anatomy and detection of infammation, infection and obstructions; orbital, cranial and dental disease; extrahepatic and portosystemic shunts; ectopic ureters; elbow dysplasia; evaluation of complex fractures including pelvic, jaw, skull and spine; angular limb deformities and use of images for 3-D printed guides and models; insulinomas; foreign bodies; IVDD and lumbosacral disease. It provides superb image quality with streamlined connection to PACS systems and external sources for fasttracked interpretation. The CT scan can also be used in combination with other equipment and diagnostic tools to provide gold standard treatment.
For referrals and enquiries contact (03) 9379 0700
QLD
Sabertooth Vet Dental Specialist at Animal Emergency Centre (AEC) Woolloongabba
We are excited to announce Dr Williana Basuki BVSC (Hons), MS, MANZCVS, DAVDC, Board Certifed Veterinary Dentist™ has joined our QLD Network! Dr Williana is the first and only registered specialist in veterinary dentistry in QLD. Her business Sabertooth Vet Dental Specialist is now consulting and operating at AEC Woolloongabba. Procedures include oral surgery, periodontal surgery and therapy, endodontic treatment, malocclusion and oral medicine.
For referrals and enquiries contact (07) 3171 7888 or dental@saber.vet
The Animal Referral & Emergency Network is Australia’s largest specialty and emergency network, with over 20+ locations nationwide in NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, SA and WA. The network operates as an extension of local veterinary practices, offering clinical excellence and professional advice in specialist cases and emergencies.
www.emergencyvet.com.au
War declared on Australia’s feral cats
In early September, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) announced the launch of a recruitment campaign for its first-ever dedicated feral cat control team.
Feral cats have been in the spotlight this year, after research has shown that each year, they kill more than 1.5b native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs, and 1.1b invertebrates in Australia. They have contributed to two thirds of national mammal extinctions, a key factor in Australia having the worst mammal extinction record in the world.
The Invasive Species Council estimates there are between 7.0 – 11.2m cats spread across 99.9 per cent of Australia at any given time and that depending on rainfall conditions, between 1.4 – 5.6 million feral cats can be found in bushland.
NPWS will recruit a five-person team of ground shooters, who will deliver added protection for threatened wildlife by targeting feral cats in locations where cat numbers have increased after good seasonal conditions.
The team will be based in western New South Wales and be deployed
across the state as needed to support cat baiting and trapping and collect samples to support possible genetic solutions.
The Federal Government is currently investing more than $60m in 55 feral cat eradication projects nationwide.
The Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, has described the projects as a war on feral cats.
“The Albanese Government is serious about protecting our precious native species – and that’s why we’re tackling one of
their biggest killers. Feral cats aredangerous and ruthless predators, pushing our threatened native species like the greater bilby, numbat, and Gilbert’s potoroo, to the brink of extinction,” Plibersek said.
“Since declaring war on feral cats, we are mobilising artificial intelligence, cat trap technology and strong community action to combat this invasive pest and safeguard Australia’s biodiversity.”
Australia’s estimated 4.9m pet cats have not escaped scrutiny, with more than two thirds of local councils already requiring cats be contained overnight or 24 hours a day.
There are calls to see these measures extended nationally, not only to protect native species, but to also prevent the spread of diseases cats can pass on to humans and livestock, which the CSIRO estimates costs Australia $6b per year to treat.
With the Feral Cat Threat Abatement Plan due to be released tothe public later this year, many anticipate stricter regulations for cat owners to help stem the decline in native mammals, with the veterinary industry well placed to provide education and services to cat owners to control feral cat numbers.
Collared protection bolsters behaviour understanding Blue whale private lives finally surface
Anyone who drives along Australia’s regional or rural roads will be familiar with the problem of wildlife bounding unexpectedly onto the road in front of them. The problem becomes more of an issue at night given much of Australia’s wildlife is nocturnal.
In the effort to better understand why and how different kangaroo species hop and help predict their movements so vehicle collisions with wildlife can be prevented, the results of an international study led by researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast are promising.
Study leader Christofer Celente, an Associate Professor at UniSC’sSchool of Biomedical Sciences said the team began attaching custom-built high-tech collars to the necks of bettongs – also known as rat kangaroos – a year ago.
The preliminaryresults from tracking data able to distinguish between five behaviours when the animals are hopping around undisturbed showed their movements were measured with a degree of biomechanical accuracy not previously seen.
“Weneed to find out exactly why and how different roo species hop so we can better predict their movements in different habitats,” he said.
The thin leather collars, adapted from a design by WildSpy for UniSC’s koala tracking research, were GPS and VHS-enabled and equipped with new accelerometers to sense vibration and velocity before being attached to bettongs in a wildlife reserve southwest of Brisbane.
Jasmin Annett, a PhD student at UniSC said that although roos Topage30
A decade-long program let by The Australian National University (ANU) has captured some of the first ever recorded evidence of reproduction in blue whales, including underwater footage of a mother nursing its calf.
The research and citizen science program spotted the whales off the coast of Timor-Leste as part of the annual monitoring of the Austral-Indonesian population of pygmy blue whales. These whales travel more than 5,000 kilometres during their annual migration between southern Australia and the Banda Sea near eastern Indonesia via the waters of Timor-Leste.
In 2008, surveys by Australian scientists around the coast of Timor-Leste identified the country’s waters as a global cetacean hotspot and a potential major migration corridor for whales and dolphins.
Program leader and marine ecologist, Karen Edyvane has been conducting research in Timor-Leste since 2006 and said the blue whale’s reproductive and calving behaviour has remained largely unknown in the scientific community until now.
“Our decade-long project has documented some of the lesser-known intimate reproductive behaviours of blue whales, some for the very first time. It’s very exciting,” she said.
“Since 2014, our program has sighted over 2700 blue whales in Timor-Leste’s waters, monitoring their annual migration along the country’snorth coast. On a global level, these numbers are truly extraordinary.”
Elanor Bell, a researcher at the Australian Antarctic Division and an Australian government representative within the International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) Scientific Committee, said the research provided important new insight into whale populations.
“This evidence suggests that these waters are not only important foraging areas for blue whales, but also are critical for reproduction. Until now,it has been a mysterywhen, where and how blue whales reproduce,” Bell said.
The documented evidence has provided a comprehensive overview of the mating habits of the marine mammals.
“From newborn calves and nursing mothers to amorous adults in courtship, the waters of Timor-Leste really are providing blue whale scientists with some of our first glimpses into the private lives of one of the world’slargest but most elusive animals,” Edyvane said.
Research partner Jose Quintas, National Director for Environment and Research at the Timor-Leste Topage 30
PictureJasminAnnett
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Queenslanders to self-treat their properties as fire ants march on
From October 1, south-east Queensland residents within the newly increased fire ant eradication zone will be able to self-treat their properties, as part of ongoing efforts to eradicate the destructive insect.
Asof early August, the fire ant eradication area in south-east Queensland has been more than doubled, with every property in the 830,000-hectare (20.5m-acre) target zone to be treated up to six times over two years, followed by a five-year surveillance period.
Residents who report fire ants within the target zone will be sent free treatment packs by mail –achange that was recommended by the Senate inquiry into fire ants.
The inquiry, which began in March this year, heard that the findings of a 2021 strategic review of the fire ant eradication program were not released publicly until 2023, despite its flagging that the program’s lack of transparency and wastefulness required urgent attention.
During the early stages of the inquiry, Helen Scott-Orr, who led the 2021 review, said she had “no idea” why the release of the findings was delayed, and was “extremely frustrated”.
Thenew approach targets the rim of the infestation area, stopping its spread, while calling on the community to help stamp out ants within the suppression area.
Australia has battled several outbreaks of fire ants since they were first discovered here in the 1990s. The most recent outbreak started in Queensland but has since been detected in northern NSW and on the edge of the Murray-Darling Basin.
Ashley Bacon, the program executive for the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, says the recent changes are part of a strategy
that includes all members of the community and government, with $ 593m of state and federal funding allocated to the period between 2023 to 2027.
“Weare committed to eradicating fire ants by 2032 to safeguard our way of life,” Bacon said. “If we fail, life in Australia will change – backyard cricket, picnics in the park and walking on the grass without shoes could become a memory.”
Some Queensland primary producers have already been self-treating their properties for several years, and while they have seen positive outcomes, they warn that they have come at a cost.
Greg Zipf grows cane and soya beans on the northern Gold Coast and has been self-treating
WomSAT expands to help educate and track treatment of wombats
Australia’s citizen science wombat tracking app WomSAT has released a new training course to provide information on how to treat wombats afflicted with sarcoptic mange in the field, as part of conservation efforts for the native species.
The WomSAT project launched in 2015, after University of Western Sydney researchers designed an app in partnership with the Wolgan Valley Resort. Now run in collaboration with Charles Sturt University, the app allows users tolog wild wombat sightings, with more than 23,000 sightings reported in the nine years since, significantly contributing to the identification and mitigation ofthreats impacting wombats. Sarcoptic mange, caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, affects wombats throughout their range, posing one of the greatest threats to their survival alongside roadside accidents. Developed in consultation with the Wombat Protection Society of Australia Inc, WomSAT’s comprehensive training program is designed to educate and certify wombat carers infield treatment techniques. Additionally,an upgrade to the app, funded by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Foundation for National Park’s Curb Wombat Mange program, nowincludes features for tracking treatments in the field.
Julie Old, from the University of Western Sydney School of Science, highlighted the importance of the new training course.
“WomSAT empowers wombat carers and treaters to track wombat treatment in the field, providing critical data on the prevalence and treatment of sarcoptic mange. This course is a crucial step towards improving our understanding of this deadly disease and enhancing conservation efforts,” Old said.
“By enhancing the knowledge and skills of wombat carers in treating sarcoptic mange, the training will not only improve on-ground care but also provide participants with the necessary accreditation to treat wombats in the field.”
Upon completion of the training, participants will receive a certificate of accreditation. This accreditation can be used to gain official approval to treat wombats in the field through the Wombat Protection Society of Australia.
“By treating sarcoptic mange in wombats, we can improve their health and welfare and contribute to the conservation of an iconic Australian animal,” Hayley Stannard from the Charles Sturt School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, said.
■ JULIA GARDINER
with the assistant of the Queensland government’s Fire Ant Suppression Task Force for two years.
“Does it work? Yes, it does, we’ve seen a huge reduction and suppression. But as a farmer, you’re time-poor and it’s certainly difficult to get the job done,” Zipf said.
He said that while the baits are supplied, he hasbeen forced to cover many costs associated with the treatment.
“The cost to us to apply and monitor on a yearlybasis would probably be in the vicinity of $25,000 a year and we’re just one mid-sized operation.”
Reece Pianta, advocacy manager at the Invasive Species Council, said the ramp-up in the program’s work was “critical” and “encouraging tosee”.
“We are still finding outlier detections and those are being rapidly responded to, but turning the tide on fire ant eradication requires the additional efforts that the program has announced – specifically,baiting, suppression and compliance auditing,” he said.
While the Invasive Species Council research shows there’s still a cost benefit associated with eradication, as opposed to management of the pest, in the short term, farmers like Mr Zipf question those costs falling to primary producers.
Zipf said the onus was on biosecurity agencies to protect Australia from invasive species.
“The fire ant incursion was their fault. They look after the borders, yet individuals like ourselves have to bear the cost of someone else’s mistake. It’sbecome our problem.”
Under Queensland’s biosecurity act, noncompliant businesses and individuals could face penalty infringement notices, biosecurity orders and prosecution.
Adayinthelifeof MARLENALOPEZ
LOCUMVETANDSOCIALMEDIASTAR
This month, ADay in the Life travels to Victoria to catch up with Marlena Lopez, who wears not one, but two hats as a veterinarian. Firstly, Lopez is a locum who works in vet clinics all over Melbourne. Secondly, she is an award-winning social media star with her own website and over 70,000 followers on Instagram. Lopez took some time out from her busy schedule to chat with The Veterinarian about what constitutes a typical day for her, and what it is like sharing her experiences and providing educational content via her Veterinary Adventures website and on social media.
Being a locum, no two days are alike for Lopez. “Iwork at clinics all over the Melbourne metropolitan area, and each day involves travelling to a different clinic, meeting new teams and adapting to their specific protocols and practices,” she said. Her duties, like most veterinarians, typically include consultations, diagnostics, surgeries and follow up care – with one important difference. “Locum work is unique because it requires a high degree of flexibility and adaptability,” Lopez explained. “Unlike a permanent position, I need to quickly integrate into different environments and work seamlessly with various teams. It provides a diverse range of experiences and continuous learning opportunities.”
Lopez’s ability to adapt to constantly changing workplaces may stem in part from the fact that she was raised in a small mountain town called Big Bear Lake in California, USA and subsequently relocated to different parts of the globe while studying. “I grew up surrounded by nature’s wonders at an elevation of 2,000 metres,” she said. “This unique environment inspired by deep love for animals and the natural world, which led to me earning a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona.” After graduating, Lopez spent a year studying Spanish at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain in 2015, and then successfully completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Melbourne in 2020. While Lopez has worked in permanent positions since finishing vet school, in October 2023 she decided to concentrate on locum work because it allows her to pursue a variety of interests and to cultivate the work-life balance that suits her best. She relishes the opportunity to work with different veterinary teams, knowing this exposes her to different styles of clinical management and practice and to learn from vets who have varying special interests, all while developing her own skills. Significantly,locum work also provides Lopez with the flexibility to pursue other passions, such as community service. “I recently returned from volunteering the Cook Islands, where I worked at
Te Are Manu Community Clinic,” she said. “The clinic had a really interesting case load, including two exploratory laparotomies within my first two days. It was well-equipped, and the client interactions were very positive and rewarding.” Lopez loved being able to improve the welfare of animals and families living on the island while learning about the local history and culture. “The experience was both enriching and fulfilling, and I would highly recommend it to any veterinary professional,” she said. Lopez loves learning new things, which is hardly surprising given her veterinary journey had its beginnings in vet nursing and ecological research. “Prior to attending veterinary school, Ispent two years studying the Northern Alligator Lizard’s geographic variation of sexual dimorphism, and I also completed a research internship at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica which focussed on the social organisation of the Proboscis Bat,” she said. Once she started vet school in Melbourne, Lopez began sharing her knowledge and experiences online via Instagram (@veterinary_adventures), her blog and her website (www.veterinaryadventures.com). “My social media journey began when I moved to Australia for vet school, initially to stay connected with friends and family in the USA and to serve as aresource for pre-veterinarystudents,” Lopez explained. “As a pre-vet student navigating university applications and the challenges of moving to a new country,Ioften wished I had someone who had been through the experience to offer advice. So, I decided to be that person for others, providing honest and helpful advice.” By the time Lopez graduated, she had amassed more than 70,000 followers and, in 2020, she was named VeterinaryThought Leader of the Year by the Veterinary Business Group of the Australian VeterinaryAssociation. Now,on her days offfrom clinical work, she often sets up her ring light and tripod and films or writes content for social media – not only for her own followers, but also as the social media manager for Australian Small Animal Veterinarians (ASAV), which she also serves as an Executive Committee Member and Recent Graduate Representative. “As a veterinarian on social media, I use my platformto bridge the gap between vets and clients, raise awareness regarding issues facing veterinarians, and provide pet owner education,” Lopez said. “My goal is to empower others to offer the best care for their beloved companions and to advocate for a better,moresustainable profession for veterinarians.”
Lopez is acutely aware of the power of social media in today’s digital age, but she is equally cognisant that there is a vast amount of misinformation circulating online. “While it’s fantastic that anyone can have a voice on social media, this can also be a double-edged sword if the information is not shared responsibly,” she said. “I frequently encounter clients who have acted on advice they found online about topics like parasite control, nutrition and medications, only to discover that the information was incorrect or even harmful to their pets.” As a result, Lopez believes it iscrucial for veterinary professionals to be active on social media. “With our knowledge and expertise in animal care, we can help counteract misinformation by providing accurate, evidence-based guidance,” she explained. “Our presence on these platforms ensures that pet owners have access to credible information and can make well-informed decisions about their pets’ health and wellbeing.”
Surprisingly, for someone who works alocum and who has so many followers
on social media, Lopez claims introversion as her biggest challenge while following her chosen career path. “Most people would be surprised to hear that I consider myself and introvert,” she said. “Constantly meeting new people and adjusting to new environments is challenging for me. Each clinic has its own cultureand workflows, so it takes effortto quickly establish rapportand effectively communicate with both staff and clients.” The flipside of Lopez’scurrent working arrangement is, of course, that she has the flexibility and time to pursue projects she finds immensely rewarding. “I am always keen to explorenew endeavours,” she said. “Last year, I wrote a set of information cards covering the topics a new cat or dog owner needs to know called Coaching Cards for New Cat Parents and Coaching Cards for New Dog Parents.Iwant to equip pet owners with the knowledge they need to provide the best care for their companion animals.” Thanks to the power of Lopez’ssocial media presence, the decks are available globally and she is now working on translating the decks into a book that is due to be published next year.“I am also developing asupplement range for dogs and cats to address certain gaps in the market I’ve noted when recommending supplements to clients,” she said. “Working as a locum veterinarian provides me with room in my schedule to explorethese ventures.”
And now, to conclude our Day in the Life with Dr Marlena Lopez, we finish with our ever-so-slightly-cheesy Creature Questions:
Do you currently have any pets?
Yes, I have a cat named Tricksie. He was a foster fail from my time as a shelter veterinarian. Tricksie spent seven months in the hospital prep area, and I would visit him at the end of every shift. Eventually, I was able to foster and then adopt him.
What is your favourite animal?
Iam fond of both dogs and cats. I used to think I wasn't a cat person, but now I believe that the only people who aren't cat people arethose who haven't had a cat yet.
If you could transform into any animal, what would you be and why?
I think powered flight is the ultimate evolutionary trait. I would transform into a bird, something like a Swainson's Hawk which migrates from North America to Argentina for winter. Iwould love to soar through the Americas! The ability to soar high above the ground and have a bird’s-eye view of the world would be incredible. Plus, birds represent a sense of freedom and the opportunity to explore wide-ranging environments, which aligns with my love for adventure and discovery.
■ JAIHUMEL
Escaping the Vortex: A rescue guide for time-pressed clinic teams
Do your staff feel like they’re running on a hamster wheel that’s spinning faster than ever? Rest assured, you’re notalone!These days, clinic teams are stretched thinner than a cat’s patience at bath time. With ever-growing lists of responsibilities,staff are pulledleft andright throughout the day, and too often it’s away from their true value offering: providingtop-notch care to patients plus personalised, caring service to clients. Juggling adminduties and minor requestsmay seem like a necessary priority but such demands oftenadd little, if any, bankable value. You know the feeling of ending a hectic shift and thinking,“Did I actually achieve anything today?” It’s the soul-crushing reality of ‘busywork,’ whichoffers no job satisfaction and leaves everyone simply feeling drained. Burnout and highturnover are the inevitable consequences, compounding the stress and making staffretention more critical than ever. Keeping your skilled team members --those who are the lifeblood of your practice --is essential for maintaining the continuity and quality of carethat keeps your clients happy and your patients healthy. So, how can you, as astaff member, tackle these challenges?Imagine your business as a game of Jenga:each piece is a taskthat appears to have a genuine place in the total entity of your operations. However,if you carefully pull out the non-core, lowvalue tasks one by one, you afford what remains more air flowwhile reducing the overall burden. Without toppling the operation, you are eventually left with the pieces that were genuinely contributing to the structure.Now apply this analogyto your business and start with the low-hanging fruit– you’ll earn some quick wins andbuild critical momentum. Create an initial list of tasks that can be delegated, automated,or eliminated. Each minor victory will yield aperpetual gain for the business and createspace for additional improvement, somewhatlike a compounding investment. Adopting new technologies to handle routine administrative work can be a game-changer,and redistributing duties based on each team member’s strengths is akin to helping themrediscover that passion from the early days of their career.While there’s no magic bullet,each step is small and very manageable, so this need not be agrind as you walk your teamtowards a more streamlined and focused business. Having a clear vision will be your roadmap to success. Imagine your practice where everykey staff member spends all their time engaging with clients and attending to thehealthcare needs of patients–completely free from all other duties. Think how impressivethe brand experience would be for your clients. Think how much more valuable yourservice offering would be perceived.What precisely can be done here? While every practice is nuanced to some degree, thereare plenty of fundamental similarities sowhy not start with some familiar and practicalsuggestions that Vetplus has to offer.
Update to the Pet Health Passport app How much time is spent in your consult rooms attending tobooklets, sticking on vaccine labels and writing up vaccinationrecords? A minute here, a minute there...add it all up throughoutthe year it’s likely to be multiples of days. Unnecessary days lostfrom the engine room of your business revenue generation. Administrative tasks belong outside of consult rooms, no matterhow trivial they might seem. The newPet Health Passport app willbe your ally in this process change– not only does it eliminate theburden of inventory, ordering and wastage from paper petrecords, it enables clients to digitally capture their own official vaccination record using a mobile phone. All ittakes is a singleQRcode scan while theyare settling the bill, and the job is done.
Another familiar timesaveris that you’ll never have aclient forgetting their booklet,then requesting a newone or coming back another timeto get it written upand signed by their vet. The only thing more certainthan a finding an entire tennis ball in a labrador’sstomach, is that clients will always have their phone with them during each visit.
The digital version of thePet Health Passport also has the benefit of automated actions that allow your staff to dispense with common non-billable service requests. We knowthat pet boarding is always coupled with proof of vaccinationand the easiest option for pet owners is to call their vet and getall the details emailed through. While necessary for that client,such requests only thin out your team’s ability to serve themore immediate needs of clients sitting in your waiting room.With the Pet Health Passport app, clients can send a fullboarding intake email, complete with all current vaccinationcertificates and pet details directly to their boarding facility.Accurate, up-to-the minute information, and all withoutbothering your staff. Better for everyone.
Beyond that, the Pet Health Passport also features a host of health monitoring andcompliance support tools that serve to actively contribute to better healthcare outcomes.Test it out among your staff and discover firsthand what it can do for your practice.
Feeding the beast: marketing, social media and website
If your business has prescribed itself protocols for any brand building, marketing andawareness programs, you’ll know too well how much time investment is required tosustain each of these endeavours. Writingarticles for webpages, blogs or social media is a valid and valuable contributor to your digital presence, however it’s hours that would be far better spent on the tools, so to speak. But who has floating funds to hire creative contractors and the time needed to manage them?With Vetplus you can jettison the headache, costand drag on your time with a suite of ready-to-usemarketing campaigns, social media content andprofessionally written website articles. The verynext time your staff needcontent for marketing, they simply login and place an order.It’s free for Vetplus members, and your printed materials will be delivered straight to your door. Digital assets can be downloaded instantly, and you can even schedule a full 12-month marketingplanthat will remind the right person at just the right time for each seasonal marketingwindow.
The Vetplus website editor is also a great time saver if you understand what it takes to harness the full pulling power of your website. Websites asabusiness tool have rapidly evolved and we are farfrom the old ‘set & forget’ mentality. Consumerexpectations are what set the benchmarks and weknow that pet owners need to be attracted to yourbusiness through an online presence that’senticing, current and dynamic.
What was once astatic web page is now a hybrid of blog/social/web, all alive and moving continuously.With a Vetplus website, your staff can do it all-notechnical understanding of HTML, coding, sandboxes or publishing is needed. Just login,make an edit, throw in a splash of creative flair, and push your changes to Live! No moreliaising with web designers, coders and agencies– it’s instant and it’s easy. Think of it asperfect side-hustle for your receptionistin-between serving clients. Better yet, the entiresystem and creative library is available for free to Vetplus member clinics. Cut costs, savetime, stay active, stay fresh.
Priority 1 automation: reminders and bookings
Does anyone still dial a phone number to book ahotel room or order an Uber? How many dealerships send postal reminders when your car service is due? Such industries have ledus all toward more eco-efficient methods of appointment reminders and bookingservices, and a landslide of consumer behaviour has shifted forever with it. Putting aside the differences in approach and efficacy, allagree on the inevitable necessity to utiliseonline booking and automated reminders, orsimply be left behind. Without thesefundamental provisions to a clinic’sserviceoffering, a retail service business in any type ofcompetitive landscape will simply fall underthe radar of emerging customer groups,continually losing both traction andsignificance.
If your practice has already adopted these automation services, then your only endeavour should be tightening the ratchets to achieve optimal efficacy.Through Vetplus, Boehringer Ingelheim has partnered with industry leaders in online bookings and vaccinationappointment reminders to help connect more veterinary partners with the expertise thatwill maximise the automation and time-savings for your staff, while also achieving thehighest rates of client engagement.If you haven’t yet made the connection for online bookings or automated vaccinationreminders, Vetplus offers financial support to incentivise your practice toward onboardingas soon as possible with these foundation technology upgrades.Take a step towards freedom. Getting started will be even easier if you partner with Boehringer Ingelheim and benefitfrom the assorted toolset that Vetplus has to offer Call your Boehringer IngelheimTerritoryManager if you’re ready to start freeing up your staff from mundane, lower-prioritytasks. Take the first step out of the vortex and into a more efficient, satisfying, andsuccessful practice.
INSEPARABLE
PEXION® is the only targeted therapy developed specifically for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, balancing seizure control whilst preserving quality of life in patients.1,2
Scan to rediscover the role of PEXION in managing canine idiopathic epilepsy*
“PEXION has provided a vital new tool for the treatment of epilepsy in dogs. As a neurologist, I now use it as my frst choice anticonvulsant in drug-naive patients, because of its improved side effect profle 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.
Abiotic stressors in poultry production: A comprehensive review
In modern animal husbandry, stress can be viewed as an automatic response triggered by exposure to adverse environmental conditions. This response can range from mild discomfort to severe consequences, including mortality. The poultry industry, which significantly contributes to human nutrition, is not exempt from this issue. Although genetic selection has been employed for several decades to enhance production output, it has also resulted in poor stress resilience. Stress is manifested through a series of physiological reactions, such as the identification of the stressful stimulus, activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal medulla, and subsequent hormonal cascades. While brief periods of stress can be tolerated, prolonged exposure can have more severe consequences. For instance, extreme fluctuations in environmental temperature can lead to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, impairment of reproductive performance, and reduced immunity. In addition, excessive noise in poultryslaughterhouses has been linked to altered bird behaviour and decreased production efficiency. Mechanical vibrations have also been shown to negatively impact the meat quality of broilers during transport as well as the egg quality andhatchability in hatcheries. Lastly,egg production is heavily influenced by light intensity and regimens, and inadequate light management can result in deficiencies, including visual anomalies, skeletal deformities, and circulatory problems. Although there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the impact of environmental stressors on poultry physiology, there is a disproportionate representation of stressors in research. Recent studies have been focused on chronic heat stress, reflecting the current interest of the scientific community in climate change. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the major abiotic stressors in poultry production and elucidate their underlying mechanisms, addressing the need for a morecomprehensive understanding of stress in diverse environmental contexts.
Chris Major Ncho1,Janine I Berdos2,Vaishali Gupta3,Attaur Rahman4,Kefala Taye Mekonnen5,Allah Bakhsh6
JAnim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2024 Aug 12.doi: 10.1111/jpn.14032.
1Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
2Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultureand Forestry, Tarlac Agricultural University, Malacampa, Tarlac, Philippines.
3Division of Applied Life Sciences (BK21 Four Program), Gyeongsang National University,Jinju-si, Republic of Korea.
4Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
5Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultureand Environmental Science, Arsi University, Asella, Oromia, Ethiopia. 6Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.
Assessment of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances and physiological biomarkers in aquarium-based bottlenose dolphins and killer whales
Environmental concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are considerably increasing due to their extensive use in commercial and consumer products. PFAS bioaccumulate and biomagnify throughout the food chain, and their toxicity and potential adverse health effects can potentially represent a threat to living organisms. In this study, we described PFAS profiles in the serum of two species of zoo-based bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus, n =14 individuals) and killer whales (Orcinus orca, n = 14 individuals) from three locations (California, Florida, and Texas, USA), from 1994 to 2020. Potential physiological effects of PFAS were also explored by measuring different biomarkers (cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone, TBARS, and hydrogen peroxide) while accounting for individual age, sex, and reproductive stage. All PFAS were detected in at least one of the individuals, considering both species. ΣPFAS reached 496 ng mL-1 in bottlenose dolphins and 230 ng mL-1 in killer whales. In both species, the PFAS with higher mean concentrations were PFOS (108.0-183.0 ng ml-1) and PFNA To page 29
Microsporum canis causes cutaneous and extracutaneous feline dermatophytic pseudomycetomas: Molecular identification and clinicopathological characteristics
Dermatophytic pseudomycetoma (DPM) is a rarely reported invasive fungal infection of humans and animals, especially cats. This study aimed to identify dermatophytes, breed associations, and the frequency of extracutaneous (EC) involvement in feline DPM. Electronic records and formalinfixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPET) from 32 suspected DPM cases in 30 cats wereretrieved from a diagnostic laboratory between 2018 and 2024. To confirm DPM and molecular identity, DNA was extracted from FFPET for ITS2 sequencing, and immunohistochemistry was performed on PCR-negative cases. All cases were confirmed as DPM. Microsporum canis was the only dermatophyte identified. The sensitivity and specificity of ITS2 sequencing for M. canis identification in FFPET were 22/32 (68.8 per cent) and 21/22 (95.5 per cent), respectively. Exotic (36.7 per cent) and Persian (23.3 per cent) but not British breeds (26.3 per cent) were over-represented compared to feline admissions at an affiliated veterinary hospital (8.5 per cent,p< 0.001; 3 per cent,p< 0.001; 21.6 per cent,p= 0.817, respectively). Five cases (16.7 per cent) had EC lesions; two had intra-abdominal masses; two had oral cavity masses, including one which extended into the cranial vault; and one had superficial cervical lymph node invasion. Exotic and Persian breeds are over-represented for DPM and M.canis is the primary cause. EC lesions of DPM may occur more commonly than previously thought.
Stefan Hobi12,Wing Yan Jacqueline Tam1,May Tse13, Omid Nekouei4,Yingfei Chai1,Fraser I Hill3,Edmund Cheung5, Wietz Botes6,Francois Saulnier-Troff2,Colin T McDermott1, Vanessa R Barrs17
JFungi (Basel). 2024 Aug 14;10(8): 576.doi: 10.3390/jof10080576.
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine & Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
2City University Veterinary Medical Centre, Hong Kong, China.
3VeterinaryDiagnostic Laboratory,City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
4Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine & Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
5Not for Profit Veterinary Clinic, Prince Edward, Hong Kong, China. 6Family Vet Fo Tan, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
7Centrefor Animal Health and Welfare, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
Uroabdomen secondary to spontaneous bladder rupture in a dog with dystocia
Objective: To describe the development of uroabdomen secondary to spontaneous bladder rupture in a dog with dystocia.
Case summary: A2-year-old intact female Boston Terrier was referred for prolonged labor of 72 hours. At presentation, the dog had delivered 8 puppies at home, with the last pup being stillborn. The dog was in hypovolemic shock and had free abdominal effusion. Abdominal radiographs showed no evidence of remaining fetuses. Abdominal fluid analysis revealed a fluid potassium that was 1.8 times higher than the peripheral blood potassium. Retrograde positive contrast cystography identified leakage of contrast into the abdomen, consistent with uroabdomen secondary to bladder rupture. Bloodwork abnormalities included a mild monocytic leukocytosis with a left shift, moderate azotemia, mild hyperbilirubinemia, mild increase of alkaline phosphatase activity, moderate hyponatremia, and moderate hypochloremia. The dog was resuscitated with IV fluids and received IV antimicrobials out of concerns for septic peritonitis and sepsis. An exploratorylaparotomy revealed a moderate volume abdominal effusion, uterine enlargement Topage 29
Discover clever ways to
save time
and focus more on your
- Dr Phil Tucak Veterinarian and AVA Veterinary Business Professional of the Year 2020
... automating routine tasks to spend more quality time with clients is fundamental for veterinary business’ ‘
The Vetplus business efficiency program offers a number of time-saving opportunities for your staff, using automation to handle routine bookings and reminders, digital solutions like the new Pet Health Passport app, plus a suite of ready-to-go marketing campaigns where all the hard work has already been done. Do more with less! To discover what Vetplus can offer your practice, scan the QR code or talk to your Boehringer Ingelheim Territory Manager for details.
Effects of meloxicam on the welfare of Holstein calves from 6 weeks to 6 months old undergoing amputation
dehorning
Amputation dehorning (AD) is a common practice performed on calves, causing harmful effects such as pain, distress, anxiety, and fear. These effects extend to behavioral, physiological, and hematological responses, prompting serious ethical concerns regarding animal welfare, even when performed with local anesthesia. Meloxicam, anonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, has been widely used to mitigate the side effects of dehorning and disbudding in calves. However, there is a notable gap in research regarding the effects of meloxicam on calves aged 6 wk to 6 mo undergoing AD procedures. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of co-administering meloxicam with lidocaine, a cornual nerve anesthetic, in alleviating the adverse effects caused by the AD procedure in calves within this age range, compared with the use of lidocaine alone. Thirty Holstein calves were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 groups. The first group received a subcutaneous injection of 5 mL of lidocaine in the horn area and a subcutaneous injection of 0.9% saline at a dose of 0.025 mL/kg in the neck, administered 10 min before the AD procedure. The second group received a combination of lidocaine and meloxicam: a subcutaneous injection of 5 mL of lidocaine in the horn area and a subcutaneous injection of 20 mg/mL meloxicam at a dose of 0.025 mL/kg in the neck, also administered 10 min before the AD procedure. To avoid subjective bias, the researchers were blinded to the treatment groups. Pain-related behaviors, including tail flicking, head shaking, ear flicking, head rubbing, head crossing bar, and kicking, were observed, and physiological parameters, including heart rate, rectal temperature, respiration rate, mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT), daily active steps, and food intake were monitored. Hematological conditions were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and routine blood tests. The data were processed using a generalized linear mixed model. The outcomes demonstrated that the AD procedure increased the frequencies of ear flicking and resulted in rises in the respiration rate, heart rate, rectal temperature, and daily active steps. It also led to decreases in total food intake, forage intake, hay intake, MNT, and increased concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PgE2), IL-1β,tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde, as well as glutathione peroxidase activity. However, calves that received meloxicam treatment showed significant improvements in response to the AD procedure, including lower respiration rates, heart rates, and rectal temperatures; higher MNT; and lower intermediate cell ratio. They also had higher red blood counts, hemoglobin levels, hematocrit values; larger mean platelet volumes; and lower concentrations of PgE2, IL-1β,TNF-α,and NO. These results suggest that co-administration of lidocaine and meloxicam may aid in mitigating the adverse effects induced by the AD procedure on these calves, thereby supporting the use of meloxicam in conjunction with a local anesthetic in AD procedures for calves aged 6 wk to 6 mo.
Jiancheng Qi1,Jing Fang1,Fangyuan Huang1,Zhiqiang Li2, Maqsood Ahmed Kumbhar1,Hongrui Guo1,Zhihua Ren1,Yi Geng1, Junliang Deng1,Zhicai Zuo3 Topage 29
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) poses a significant threat to animal welfare and leads to economic losses in affected countries. LSD outbreaks may also impact trade and regional relationships. South and Southeast Asia, with its dense livestock population and intricate trade networks, aresusceptible to LSD outbreaks. Indonesia confirmed its first LSD cases in March 2022, leading to substantial livestock losses by August 2023. Australia, an important player in the global beef industry, faced trade disruptions due to LSD concerns raised by Indonesia and Malaysia, claims that wererefuted by Australian authorities. The dispute highlights the need Topage 30 Using EPIWATCH open-source surveillance to describe the epidemiology of lumpy skin disease outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia (2022-2023)
Real-time pathologist-assisted field postmortem examinations of beef cattle
Postmortem examination of deceased production animals with appropriate ancillary testing is fundamental to determining causes of morbidity and mortality. Reaching a definitive diagnosis is crucial to evidence-based herd management and treatment decisions that safeguard animal health and welfare, food safety, and human health. However, for a range of reasons, carcasses sometimes cannot be examined in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. As a result, postmortem examinations of farmed animals, including cattle, are often performed on-farm by the referring veterinarian (rVet) with tissue samples submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory for ancillary testing. For various reasons, field postmortems can be associated with lower diagnostic rates. Weinvestigated real-time pathologist-assisted field postmortem examination (rtPAP) assistance to beef cattle rVets to gauge any improvement in attaining a final diagnosis. We found that rtPAPs improved the success of reaching a final diagnosis compared to unassisted field postmortem examinations. Both the participating bovine rVets and the pathologists saw benefits to the rtPAPs, with bovine rVets indicating that they would utilize this service in the futureif available. Our proof-of-concept study demonstrated the positive role of rtPAPs in diagnosing beef cattle disease and speaks to the need for telepathology services supporting food animal rVets and producers.
Jennifer L Davies1,Lindsay Rogers1,Dayna Goldsmith1, Grace P S Kwong12,Carolyn Legge1,Erin Zachar1
JVet Diagn Invest. 2024 Aug 17: 10406387241269043.doi: 10.1177/10406387241269043.
1Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
2Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Free article
An in vitro evaluation of the effect of antimicrobial treatment
on bovine mammary microbiota
Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria have been an increasing problem in human medicine and animal husbandry since the introduction of antimicrobials on the market in the 1940s. Over the last decades, efforts to reduce antimicrobial usage in animal husbandry have been shown to limit the development of resistant bacteria. Despite this, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are still commonly detected and isolated worldwide. In this study, we investigated the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in bovine milk samples using a multiple approach based on culturing and amplicon sequencing. Wefirst enriched milk samples obtained aseptically from bovine udders in the presence of two antimicrobials commonly used to treat mastitis and then described the resistant microbiota by amplicon sequencing and isolate characterization. Our results show that several commensal species and mastitis pathogens harbor antimicrobial resistance and dominate the enriched microbiota in milk in presence of antimicrobial agents. The use of the two different antimicrobials selected for different bacterial taxa and affected the overall microbial composition. These results provide new information on how different antimicrobials can shape the microbiota which is able to survive and reestablish in the udder and point to the fact that antimicrobial resistance is widely spread also in commensal species.
Anja R Winther1,Aurelie Perrin23,Anne O O Nordraak24, Morten Kjos2,Davide Porcellato2
Sci Rep. 2024 Aug 7;14(1): 18333.doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-69273-y.
1Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Christian Magnus Falsens Vei 18, 1433, Ås, Norway. anja.ruud.winther@nmbu.no.
2Faculty of Chemistry,Biotechnology and Food Science, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Christian Magnus Falsens Vei 18, 1433, Ås, Norway.
3Institute Agro Dijon, 26 Bd Dr Petitjean, 21079, Dijon, France.
4Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, Kjeller,Norway. Free article
Treating early with VETMEDIN® is proven to delay the onset of clinical signs by 63% and extend life in preclinical DCM.1
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the second most common form of acquired heart disease in dogs1
To learn more about identifying preclinical DCM in dogs, scan the QR code to visit Boehringer Ingelheim Cardiology Hub. If you do not have an Animal Health Academy account, please register using the access code “myAcademy”.
For more information talk to your Boehringer Ingelheim Territory Manager today or call our Customer Care Team on 1800 808 691.
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Simplifying the complex world of enteropathies in dogs and cats
■ LUKE JOHNSTON
FANZCVS (SAM) BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (SAM)
Registered
specialist in Small Animal Medicine
President ANZCVS Small Animal Medicine Chapter
Advanced Vetcare, Melbourne
Enteropathies are one of the most common clinical presentations at veterinary hospitals (Robinson 2015, Candellone 2020). These signs can be broad and varied. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss (decreased muscle or body condition score), hyporexia, anorexia, or even lethargy should alert the clinician to the possibility of an enteropathy. Less common signs may include nausea (hypersalivation, cheek puffing, lip licking, turning away from food), increased flatulence, constipation, pica, or polyphagia. Furthermore, these signs may present acutely, peracutely, or chronically. There is evidence that dogs with acute enteropathy presentations may later develop chronic enteropathy following parvovirus infections or acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (Skotnitzki et al., 2021). The difficulty with these cases is the sometimes-vague presentation and the diversity of diseases that may lead to these clinical signs.
Presentations of gastrointestinal signs can be split into two categories: gastrointestinal disease and extra-gastrointestinal disease. Gastrointestinal disease can include neoplasia, foreign body obstructions, inflammatory disease (protein-losing enteropathy and non-proteinlosing enteropathy), dietary indiscretions, and infectious disease. Extra-gastrointestinal disease can include, most commonly in cats, hyperthyroidism, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, pancreatitis, and cholangiohepatitis. In our canine patients, extra-gastrointestinal diseases may include exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, thyroid disease, pancreatitis, hypoadrenocorticism, and gallbladder disease. These lists are not exhaustive, and many other possible disease processes may lead to gastrointestinal signs in our patients.
The most common cause of chronic diarrhoea and vomiting is chronic inflammatory enteropathies (Volkmann 2017). This term describes inflammation throughout the gastrointestinal tract resulting from dietary,microbial, and immune interactions (Jergens 2022). At the cornerstone of managing these cases is the manipulation of diet. Studies show that in both dogs and cats, most chronic enteropathy cases are food-responsive. Utilizing hydrolyzed foods, such as Royal Canin Hypoallergenic, Hills z/d, and Purina HA, can induce remission in 50-70 per cent of dogs and cats with chronic enteropathies (Dupouy-Manescau 2024, Bandara 2023). There are a few important points to remember when trialling these diets:
■ Two-week food trial intervals
■ Trialling three different hydrolysed or novel protein diets before excluding a food-responsive chronic enteropathy (Schramm 2022)
■ Utilizing anti-nausea medications or appetite stimulants to assist in acclimation to new diets
■ Supporting the microbiome, as many of these patients likely have dysbiosis concurrently. There is evidence that hydrolysed diets alone can correct dysbiosis in canine patients (Wang 2019).
■ Monitoring and supplementing vital nutrients, such as cobalamin/vitamin B12, as required to support these patients.
Thirty to fifty per cent of patients are expected to fail these diet trials and continue to show clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease. In these cases, approaches to managing dysbiosis with additional fibre, probiotics, or faecal microbial transplants can be beneficial. Some of these patients may benefit from immune modulation with medications such as prednisolone. Typically, this follows endoscopic or surgical biopsies to ensure histological changes are consistent with inflammatorybowel disease. Biopsies are often vital to rule out conditions such as neoplasia and atypical infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Another category of presentation is the chronic enteropathy patient with protein-losing enteropathy. These cases often present more severely, with biochemical changes such as hypoalbuminemia, hypoglobulinemia, and often hypocholesterolemia (Craven 2019). For these cases, we adopt a slightly different approach to management. Often, these patients will benefit from a low-fat or ultra-low-fat diet (Wenoggle 2021, Negata 2020). Currently, the lowestfat diet available on the market is Royal Canin Gastrointestinal low-fat canned/wet food. Alternatively, utilizing a board-certified nutritionist may be of value in these cases. A diet change should induce a response within 2-4 weeks (Wenoggle 2021). Another approach is to split meals into multiple portions throughout the day. By increasing the frequency of feeding (not volume), the luminal osmolality of the gastrointestinal tract remains higher than in the fasting state, leading to less osmotic pull of albumin and other proteins into the gut lumen (Craven 2019). Often, we would feed these patients 4-6 times per day to ensure an adequate response. Some of these patients may require prednisolone to induce remission (Schmitz 2019, Craven 2019). Importantly, neoplasia such as lymphoma may need to be ruled out as a possible cause of protein-losing enteropathy Biopsies are often required for this.
Some patients with protein-losing enteropathy may have a severe form of inflammatory bowel disease and require a hydrolysed diet. These patients are approached similarly to those with chronic enteropathies described above. Most of these diets are higher in fat, so it’s important to be aware of the impact this may have on lymphatic health. Many of these patients will be hypercoagulable with this condition (Dixon 2021), and thus anticoagulants such as Rivaroxaban (Factor Xa inhibitors) and Clopidogrel (Platelet ADP inhibitor) are beneficial to reduce the risk of thromboembolic disease. Protein-losing enteropathies are a rare cause of presentation in cats.
Some patients with chronic enteropathies may benefit from a high-fibre approach. Typically, these patients have mainly lower intestinal changes, such as diarrhoea and/or flatulence. Fibre-responsive enteropathy can occur in dogs or cats. Instituting high-fibre diets such as Royal Canin Gastrointestinal High Fibre, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal (new range), or Hills Biome may benefit our canine patients. Royal Canin Hairball Control and Hills Biome for cats are two options for our feline patients. It's reasonable
to approach a patient with chronic diarrhoea with a high-fibre diet option. Some cats with constipation will benefit from high-fibre diets (Keller 2024). It's important to note that there are certain risk factors for constipation in cats, including obesity, progressive age, and comorbidities such as osteoarthritis and chronic renal disease (Benjamin 2020). These may concurrently need to be addressed in these patients.
Asignificant differential to be aware of in dogs is hypoadrenocorticism in a patient presenting with gastrointestinal signs. These signs may be acute, chronic, peracute, persistent, or wax and wane. Typically, we refer to the atypical Addisonian patient here. These dogs usually present between 6-7 years old, with a slight female predilection noted in the literature (Lathan 2018). Breeds reported to be predisposed include mixed-breed dogs, Standard Poodles, German Shepherds, Great Danes, West Highland White Terriers, and Labrador Retrievers. Regardless of the presentation, every patient with chronic enteropathy signs should have resting cortisol levels checked to rule out the condition, particularly if bloodwork changes such as eosinophilia, hypercalcemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypocholesterolemia, anaemia, and lymphocytosis are present. Addison's disease in cats is a rare condition.
In cats, additional conditions to be aware of include exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), chronic pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, and cholangiohepatopathies. These cases often present like chronic enteropathies, with weight loss, lethargy, hyporexia, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhoea (Marsilio 2022). It’s important to note that cats are not small dogs, and conditions like EPI may present differently from canine patients. In the largest review of EPI cases in cats, the most common presenting signs were weight loss in 91 per cent, unformed faeces in 62 per cent, and poor hair coat in 50 per cent (Xenoulis 2016). Many of these conditions, such as EPI and chronic pancreatitis, may present with low cobalamin, so investigation of this vitamin level is always indicated in any patient with chronic intestinal signs. These patients will always benefit from a high-quality balanced diet, but specific diet formulations appear to be less important.
In dogs, conditions such as gallbladder disease/mucoceles (Smalle 2015) should be considered as a differential for chronic gastrointestinal signs. These patients may have evidence of “sludge” buildup on ultrasound of varying degrees. These patients may benefit from low-fat diets such as Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat to assist with bile flow management. Medications such as ursodeoxycholic acid may also benefit these patients. In some circumstances, removal of the gallbladder via cholecystectomy may be a valid option. Dogs with EPI often present chronically with clinical signs including diarrhoea (steatorrhea), weight loss, and polyphagia (Xenoulis 2016).
The presentation of chronic or acute gastrointestinal signs in our patients can initially be overwhelming, but a logical stepwise approach to diagnostics and treatments with appropriate dietar y management can make these often-difficult cases easier to manage.
Zoetis and Beyond Blue support vet mental health
Poor work-life balance, high occupational conflict, emotional and moral challenges, and financial stressors are just a few of the contributing factors leading to burnout, ill health and loss of wellbeing for Australian veterinarians and their nursing staff. Over the last three decades the risk of suicide in veterinary professionals has steadily increased: veterinarians are now four times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, and two times more likely than any other healthcare profession. Recognising the critical need for support, Zoetis, who works closely with vet practices around Australia, has partnered with Beyond Blue to once again champion mental health initiatives in the veterinary industry.
nered with Beyond Blue to tackle these very real issues affecting our veterinarians, practice staff and nurses, who suffer as a result of supporting our community.”
There is growing evidence from academic research, industry bodies and professionals that the veterinary industry is in a mental health crisis. A recent review (by Australian Veterinary Association) identified that individual and environmental risk factors exist throughout the entire veterinary career lifecycle, and include personality traits of perfectionism, demanding and expensive student life, poor postgraduate support, poor work-life balance, high occupational conflict, emotional and moral challenges, and financial stressors.
can’t justify time to look after their own wellbeing, but it’s incredibly important that they do.”
Here, Martin shares some practical tips on managing mental health in aveterinary practice:
Manage your energy and capacity –Physical and emotional exhaustion contribute to burnout. It’s important to be aware of your energy levels and your capacity to cope with the challenges of the workday andwork week. Recognise when you are starting to feel drained or fatigued and take the time to rest, recover and recharge.
Focus on what you can control –There is so much outside of your control in veterinary practice. Try to focus on what you can control,
With a commitment of $800,000 over the last eight years, Zoetis has been a steadfast supporter of Beyond Blue's vital services, which have seen more than 300,000 individuals reach out for assistance in 2023 alone. In 2024, Zoetis has set a goal to raise an additional $100,000 by the end of the year by donating $5from each sale of the company’svaccines and parasiticides products, between 15 July and 31 October,to Beyond Blue.
“Our partnership with Beyond Blue is more than just financial support,” Lance Williams, Zoetis Senior Vice President, Australia and New Zealand said. “We are passionate about improving mental health and are proud to have part-
“Day in day out, vets undergo a great deal of stress, not only caring for sick animals, but compassionately and knowledgeably working with animal owners to provide the best care and treatment. Of course, this can take atoll on vets’ mental health,” Luke Martin, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Spokesperson, Beyond Blue said. “While hugely rewarding, the veterinary profession comes with numerous challenges, so a proactive approach to staying on top of their mental health is needed. Long hours, financial worries and the emotional impacts of the job can start to pile up and impact their mental health. Vets are so busy they often feel like they
Viewing challenging experiences as atime of growth can help.
Moments of joy – It’s so easy to focus on everything that is going wrong, however, change your focus tonotice what is going well during the workday. Begin to notice those small moments that bring you joy, whether it’s a case gone well, a client saying thank you or something as simple as puppy cuddles.
Flush stress out of your body –develop habits to release the stress ofthe work day, such as physical activity, debriefing with a colleague, breathing exercises or mindfulness meditation.
Stay Connected – Look for moments of connection with your team and clients in practice, reach out to friends and family to stay connected and use them as support when needed.
Support each other – Clinical Leaders and Practice Managers can provide a clear process for dealing with customers and guidance on when to escalate problems. Letting team members know that they have your support and what they can say in tough situations will give them the confidence to engage and disengage as needed.
Speak out and get support – you don’t need to wait for your problems to snowball and have a big impact on your life. Reach out early to organisations that specialise in supporting mental health. Beyond Blue has a range of support services, including a free six-week program, NewAccess for Small Business, that offers support by trained mental health coaches who have a background in small business. For more information, visitwww.beyondblue.org.au/ newaccess-SBO
which are your own actions and how you respond to challenging situations as best you can.
Practice self-compassion –Prolonged stress can sometimes make us turn against ourselves and we become our own harshest critic. Try to be kind to yourself. Give yourself permission to take the pressure down, and be reasonable in what you’re expecting from yourself.
Change your perspective – Vets live with the unexpected and it’s easy to get stuck in situations that don’t go as planned. Think about what you did well, what you learned from the experience, and what you might do differently next time.
The Zoetis initiative runs between 15 July and 31 October 2024. For each sale of the company’s vaccines and parasiticides products, Zoetis will donate $5, up to $100,000, to Beyond Blue. “The money raised goes directly to the Beyond Blue Support Service to continue helping those working in the vet industry. To date, thanks to Zoetis’s donation, over 15,500 people have been able to get the support they need through the service,” Williams said.
For moreinformation on how you can help Zoetis to raise vital funds to support mental health through its partnership with Beyond Blue please visit www.zoetis.com.au. For more information about depression and anxiety,visit www.beyondblue.org.au. The Beyond Blue SupportService offers free and immediate counselling, advice and referrals via phone, webchat or email. Totalk to a mental health professional for free, contact the 24/7 Beyond Blue Support Service on 1300 22 46 36. Free web chat is also available 24/7 at beyondblue.org.au/ support-service/chat and you can join the Online forums for free.
Lisa Singh is a practice broker with Practice Sale Search and is the foremost expert in corporate practice sales working in practice brokerage today. To speak with Lisa or someone from Practice Sale Search, please email info@ practicesalesearch.com.au orcall 1300 282 042.
Vet Corporate Confidential: Part One
In May 2000, a relatively unknown chef called Anthony Bourdain decided that he was going to change careers and not run kitchens in New York City anymore. As a final goodbye to his previous career, he wrote a book revealing some things that he felt restaurant patrons should know. The book was called “Kitchen Confidential”; it would become a worldwide best seller and launch his second career as a famous food and travel journalist.
Having recently said goodbye to almost a decade working in Acquisitions for one of the larger dental corporates in Australia, I am at a similar juncture in my career, and there are some things that I think practice vendors should know about corporate acquisition.
Over my eight years, I would have spoken to and visited close to a thousand practices wanting to sell and had my hand in the actual purchase of close to a hundred. Being involved with that many practices and transactions, I saw many put their best foot forward in terms of presentation and negotiation, and get the best possible offer that we could have given them… Unfortunately, I also saw many practices that could have done better for themselves, if only they had known what to look for and how best to deal with us.
Now that I have left the world of corporate acquisitions and jumped over to selling practices, I can share with you my top 5 secrets about how corporate acquisition works and how vendors can get a better result for themselves.
1. Competition gets better results If you’re thinking about selling
your practice and you find a corporate interested in buying it (or they find you) … get another opinion. Vendors who only spoke to the corporate I worked for, who didn’t speak to other buyers, were less knowledgeable about what they could ask for and had less leverage in negotiations than those who did.
2.Don’t just listen and talk to the loudest voice in the room Corporates change over time. Aggregators come into and exit the marketplace.
Vets may know the larger aggregators; they are lucky in that they are high profile and spend a significant amount of money getting their name out there. However, there are some aggregators that the public don’t know about because they are newer, more localised to a specific area and/or don’t spend the same on advertising. These other corporates put great deals forward and can compete with any of the bigger corporates onprice and terms. Many vendors let themselves down by only talking to the usual suspects or the loudest voice in the room in aggregation, rather than finding the less known, but better-fit, suitor.Seek out the best possible suitor,not just the one with the biggest profile.
3. Most vets don’t know what Corporates want or offer If you know what your best potential buyer is looking for, and what they are willing to pay, you can ensure that you take steps to make yourself more attractive and can present yourself in the best possible way.
There are a lot of preconceived ideas about what corporates are
looking for and what they will pay for a practice. Many have heard half stories from friends or colleagues and think they know what a corporate will pay for a practice when, in reality, there has never been a one-size-fits-all offer from all corporates at all times:
■ An offer from one corporate will look very different to an offer from another.
■ Each corporate would give a better price and terms for practices they found more attractive or strategically important.
■ What each corporate finds attractive or strategically important has changed and evolved over time. Different corporates have placed different strategic importance on different locations over the years.
■ What corporates consider too risky changes over time as well. For example, the appetite for specialised practices and key-man dependence (percentage of practice turnover coming from the vendor) changed significantly in the time that I was involved in buying.
Knowledge of the corporates, their appetites for acquisition and what is important to them can help you position your practice. Do some investigation or talk to the team at Practice Sale Search and find out what they are looking for and what they can offer. Don’t lump them all into the same basket and assume that they are all looking for the same thing and will pay the same amount. This assumption could mean that you miss out on getting a better offer.
To be continued. PartTwo of this article will appear in the next issue of The Veterinarian, covering further secrets.
Some thoughts on common veterinary dentistry issues
ShannonLeeBVSc
MANZCVSc. D.ICEVO obtained his veterinary degree from the University of Queensland. He travels widely and is in demand as an international lecturer and educator.
In2010 Leebecame the firstveterinarian toobtain Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College ofVeterinary Scientistsin Equine Dentistryin Victoria. At the time he was alsothe youngest veterinarian to have attained the qualification.
Lee has served as a Subject examiner in Equine Dentistryfor the College(Australia and NewZealand's peakpost graduate Veterinarybody) and is a pastPresident of theDentistry chapter. In2015 he successfully completeda Diplomat pathway training program to continue hisknowledge andtraining.
Lee was the first person to identify EOTRH in Australasia.
Heis a consultant equine dental veterinarian at AdvancedEquine Dentistry,and is available by appointment.
It is my opinion – based on experience – that what leads to repeatable findings and outcomes is an ability to practise, master and memorise the building blocks of any skill or discipline. In my case the skillset I have focused on to form a career has been equine dental care.
This clinical review sets out to list, highlight and explain some of the common issues that, when overcome or addressed, help clinicians to improve and – conversely – when ignored or dismissed can lead to mistakes and failure.
The purpose of this is to help anyone with the desire to revise or improve, and to provide a resource to assist them to do so.
One of the most widely used phrases in the teaching of veterinary students is that before one can understand what is abnormal, one must first understand and recognise that which isnormal.
This key concept will form a cornerstone for the ideas laid out here.
This article is not aimed to provide abeginning-to-end overview of equine dentistry. It is, rather, a collation of the more common issues I have seen veterinarians encounter and struggle with over the years.
History
As with any work-up, case history is important and has the potential to direct or influence the examination process. This step must not be overlooked, although for all of us that can at times prove a challenge. One of the key points of this article is to reiterate the importance of practicing each step, so that by slowing down and training ourselves to complete these processes, over time they become second nature. It is my belief that most times the success of referral practice in case resolution lies not in new techniques or advanced technologies, but in going back and reviewing each aspect of a case to find what might be missing. This is improved when working with excellent clinicians as it involves a team approach.
Patient
Observation
Much like other fields of veterinary medicine the development of practice in the areas of both distance and close observation of patients can prove useful. For example, identifying which patients appear highly strung, inactive or withdrawn and how patients interact with handlers can provide useful information in planning the next step (the introduction) and in preparing the initial dose and choosing the method of administration of sedation. Again, by building a library of normal and abnormal through observation things such as eating, ridden behaviour and facial expressions can be interpreted with more accuracy or confidence.
Anote of caution here: these observations should be considered within the scope of the bigger picture. By that I’m referring to the consideration that there is a whole patient – who may have concurrent diagnosed or undiagnosed issues elsewhere in the body that may contribute to or explain
any symptoms or observations – but in many cases there will also be a rider, tack, environment, diet and so on. So without becoming distracted, overwhelmed or disappearing on a tangent a clinician should maintain anopen mind.
Introduction
Much as in other disciplines, patients are often thrust in front of us and vice versa. They may be distressed as may be the owner or handler – or indeed may be the clinician. Much has been written about horse behaviour and sothere is a strong body of scientific evidence for what I am about to say. In many cases, taking a little extra time to slow down and introduce yourself to both handler and patient, as well as working to position all parties in a safe manner, can be an effective way to improve the experience for all parties. Often, the heartrate and tension level ofboth horse and handler will be higher and can be reduced through simple techniques. Obviously, there are many situations and presentations and it’s outside the scope of this article to describe each in detail. It should be clear, however, that safe handling techniques need to be employed. Simply relaxing around stressed horses without proper allowance for health and safety considerations is not the
point I’m attempting to make here. As horses are herd animals, some advances can be made by considering this. An example would be keeping horses together – where safe to do so –prior to administration of sedation and/or sedating or feeding (but not both) the companion when separating them.
External exam
The key here is to take a little time. Once practiced, like any skill it’s often possible to perform these checks more quickly.However,slowing down and methodically working through a list of things to check until those checks are second nature is likely to result in a more thorough examination and more frequent revelations.
In teaching, what I often observed was that because there are a lot of steps to remember (and because dentistry can be physically demanding and involve working in strenuous conditions) there was a tendency to miss or overlook steps, especially when
clinicians understandably became more physically and mentally debilitated. For example: a clinician might go from administering sedation to applying a mouth speculum, meaning that they partially or completely skip both the external exam (and part of the oral examination in the process).
Some points to consider during an external examination would include firstly looking at what is normal and then highlighting anything that appears abnormal. More specifically, this includes any swellings, lumps, bumps, growths, hairless regions, tracts, discharges or odours.
Compare each side of the skull to check for any asymmetries, palpate the patient from the base of the ear pinnae to the lips, place one hand inside the mouth in the diastema (taking care to avoid injury) and percuss the sinuses using this open-mouthed technique. A clear sinus will resonate producing a hollow sound whereas a sinus where material is reducing the amount of airspace will sound noticeably different producing a dull sound.
Oral examination tips tricks and techniques
This is more difficult to describe as there are more nuances than it is easy to relate through the page. Practice observing how each patient reacts to different stimuli, watch how they react, how often they react (and how violently) and through this you can develop a feel for approaches that you make in the oral cavity with your hands and with instruments.
For certain types of patients an advance retreat approach will yield the best results. Learning when to push further with an instrument and when to back off, how long to wait and when to advance is an important skill. The oral cavity of equids presents several challenges. Tobegin with the oral cavity is dark, filled with feed materials and saliva, and has structures often requiring manipulation to allow completion of an examination. The main structures to inhibit a detailed oral examination are the patient’s lips, cheeks and tongue. These structures are not passive and may offer significant muscular resistance. So what tips can I provide to help you with these issues?
Tobegin, when initially examining the incisor teeth orientate both hands as shown in Figure 1. Each hand extends the index finger at right angles to the thumb in a ‘pistol’ with the right hand placed under the mandible and the left hand placed against the premaxilla. The result should place the tip of each thumb almost in contact with the tip of the index finger of the opposite hand and should resemble a picture frame. This position allows you retract the lips to increase the field of view and as such the area of examination, it also allows for a degree of support and control of the patient and facilitates test of the patients jaw movement. (excursion). In this position it is also possible to apply light pressure in a sedated patient to separate the maxillary and mandibular incisor teeth and this allows inspection on the occlusal surfaces.
Figure 1. Demonstrating the ‘picture frame’ technique
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Common findings here include pulp exposure, fracture, deciduous tooth retention, absent or displaced teeth. Again, a solid reference into what is normal aids the practitioner in more easily identifying that which is abnormal. As part ofthis process considering and knowing what is age-appropriate will also come into aiding a practitioner to determine between normal and abnormal.
To examine the oral cavity a bright light, clean oral cavity and still patient are required. The first two are readily achieved in each situation the third can present a greater challenge. A significant factor in achieving a still patient is the sedative/analgesic protocol. Several pharmacological options exist both alone and in combination, and each clinician will have individual preferences both for drug and dose, just as each patient will require an individual approach. In my own practice I prefer detomidine and will add butorphanol for anxious or painful patients or invasive procedures. In anxious patients (and for cases where tongue movement inhibits a thorough oral examination) diazepam is a useful addition.
Once the tongue has been relaxed with diazepam a retractor and/or a dental mirror are useful aids in achieving a more detailed review of these parts of the oral cavity. Oral endoscopes are veryuseful however if you cannot achieve excellent results in terms of examination and image capture of these areas with a dental mirror
+/- dental retractor and a camera, an endoscope will not improve exam quality or image capture. In other words it is again important to master the skills necessary to navigate, examine and detail the oral cavity before moving to more advanced equipment. The equipment does not replace technique.
X-rays
Radiology and radiography are never-ending subjects. It simply isn’t possible to have seen or understood every possible presentation or result. However the steps to follow to consistently produce results that are likely to be reliable and create images that allow any practitioner to collate, review and share (if necessary) are not difficult to follow. It is a field where any clinician will always be learning and will need to remain objectively critical of their work to improve.
Some points to review
■ Always take images of both arcades
■ Take open mouth lateral oblique views for cheek teeth
■ Remove metal objects and items such as rope halters from the field. The counter to this rule is the use of metallic markers to mark areas of interest on the skull
■ Correctly label each X-ray image
■ Take post operative X-rays
■ Monitor images
■ Review for:
● Image blur caused by movement
● Failure to capture the full field of interest
● Appropriate exposure
Achieving and interpreting radiographic images
It’s very important to stop and consider the basics: how those images are generated and what they represent. That is because an X-ray image is atwo-dimensional representation of structures in the image. Combine this with the individual variation in each image and it is not difficult to start seeing differences or pathology that may or may not be real. A few points to help here are toconsider if the views taken of the opposite arcade (as mentioned above) are normal and how they compare, to consider what would be age-appropriate (an example might be a lack of tooth root development in a young patient versus an older one).
Another point to consider is how much experience you have at interpretation. Everyclinician should certainly be encouraged to view and interpret as many images as possible, though this will prove more useful with experienced guidance to assist the process.
It is beyond the scope of this article to discuss X-rays and X-ray positioning in detail, as previous articles cover this topic. Positioning is, however, an important part of achieving good diagnostic images, as well as another area where there still seems to be a lot of confusion leading to poor technique and bad results. Poor positioning will often result in images of little diagnostic value, and this can then lead clinicians to waste further time trying to learn to interpret such images. Again, it’s a good opportunity to stress the importance of taking the time to slow down, practice and familiarise yourself with correct techniques.
Because radiographic images are two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional structures, small changes in positioning can have dramatic effects on the size, shape and even density of images produced. It should therefore make sense that this can easily lead to misinterpretation and misdiagnosis in Figure 2.
Whenever there is external swelling in an area of the skull associated with cheek teeth the use of metallic markers to identify the margins of the swelling on the images can be very helpful. This can be quickly and easily done via the method shown in Figure 3.
Overgrowths
Concept
Because of the nature of hypsodont dentition (the classification of tooth type) where there is continual tooth eruption designed to account for tooth wear from an abrasive diet, dental issues often result in overgrowths or malocclusions. There are many types of malocclusion and identifying them, deciding when to address them and how to address them is an area I’ve witnessed many vets struggle with.
This is, again, a broad topic and rather than cover it in detail my intention is to cover some key points and to reiterate the importance of first understanding what is normal to then know how to approach that which is abnormal.
Briefly,the concept is that whenever there is amismatch in tooth number, tooth position or tooth wear over time, a focal tall area or overgrowth will develop. If this overgrowth continues to develop unchecked, it will have further effects on mastication and may also lead to further dental disease.
Assessment
This is an area of confusion and challenge for clinicians, so let us break it down. On identifying one or more overgrowths during a dental examination take note, however, make sure to continue the oral exam and consider all of your findings before focusing on the overgrowth. (In much the same way as discussed about the importance of systematically reviewing
Figure2. Radiographic image
Figure3. The use of metallic markers
an entire radiographic image to avoid focussing on one obvious issue and missing another potentially more subtle but equally important one.) Perhaps consider that it’s akin to focusing just on the obvious symptom in a patient – while important – and not examining the rest of the patient or considering its history.
Having identified the overgrowth or overgrowths, consider any knock-on effects you can identify, such as associated periodontal disease, soft tissue trauma, or changes in chewing pattern.
Next, consider the age of your patient and whether the issue presents in adult or deciduous teeth. Then, estimate how long the overgrowth has been present/taken to reach this size and whether the tooth surface taken up by the overgrowth is subject to occlusal forces (i.e., the tooth is in wear). As a very crude guide, cheek teeth are thought on average to erupt at a rate of 2–4mm per year.
Reduction
While the principles and goals of reduction will remain the same across patients, factors such as patient age, overgrowth location and size, access and consideration of dentinal thickness (and so on) may influence individual planning.
However the basic goals of reduction are as follows and apply in each case.
■ To reduce any overgrowth causing soft tissue trauma to a point where this is no longer occurring.
■ To limit reduction of any overgrowth to a point that avoids exposure of sensitive tissue (odonoblastic processes and or pulp).
■ To remove enough material from any overgrowth to allow improvement in any dysmastication.
■ To reduce any overgrowth to a point that prevents/ limits its effects on tooth mal position and periodontal health.
■ Toarrive at a result that leaves the patient comfortable post-treatment.
The last point is a very important one, and at no time should it be considered normal that a patient shows increased discomfort post treatment. Should this occur then the patient should be re-examined. In many cases anti-inflammatories should be used both for pain relief and to reduce potential
swelling in case of pulp inflammation.
Any instance where this occurs should be followed by careful assessment to identify any changes for future protocols to avoid repetition.
The simple how-to
While performing reductions is sometimes possible using hand instruments, for large (i.e., tall) overgrowths or those in difficult-toaccess areas of the oral cavity, or those involving densely mineralised teeth, powered instruments will be preferable.
There are a few different types of instruments however any instrument – including hand instruments – are capable of harm so clinicians (while not being discouraged) should take care and consider each patient and presentation on its merits while also considering their level ofskill and experience.
Toconsider:
■ When performing reductions, maintain the occlusal angle. Often, when learning to perform reductions clinicians have a habit of placing instruments in a way that levels the tooth surface rather than maintaining the original 10–15 degree angle of occlusion.
■ Duringreduction, check the colour of dentine on the occlusal surface to maintain dentine with at least a light brown colour overpulp.
■ Stop and cool teeth with water during reductionif using power equipment to prevent thermal damage.
■ Prevent contact with nearby soft tissues to avoid trauma.
■ Reduce overgrowths far enough to stop soft tissue injurythat they are causing, but balance this against the risk of pulp injury. It is generally possible to achieve both outcomes.
Figure 4. Before and after on malocclusion reduction
Figure 5. What do you see?
Figure6. But if we look closer ...
■ Bear in mind the goal of maintaining the function of the affected tooth and oral cavity as awhole.
Aword on tooth removal
Much like dental radiography and radiology, tooth removal is a very broad subject where a career does not provide enough time to see all possible presentations. The key point for tooth removal is to stop and take time to appreciate that statement.
A few tips on improving tooth removal techniques and success rates:
■ Return to the concept of understanding what is normal to better understand that which is abnormal. Think about which tooth and the age of the patient and the tooth, then assess orally and radiographically to attempt to better understand the structures of the tooth, ligaments, surrounding teeth and so on.
■ Consider carefully the state of the mineralised tissues within the tooth. Particularly with respect to decay, fracture, dehydration. Think about ankylosis or bone sclerosis, mesial drift or collapse of the dental arcade.
■ Make an honest assessment of what equipment you have access to and experience with, as one does not replace the other.
■ If the result of this assessment is that you are unsure about your plan, it may be advisable to seek the input of an experienced dental veterinarian before commencing. Remember if you find yourself concerned or out of your depth in general the best plan of action is to stop rather than going further.
Records and communication
Ihave linked these two areas because often one inherently relates to the other.As clinicians, we are both busy and challenged, however the importance of open dialogue and communication between all parties involved in a case cannot be overstated. Poor communication and or records are simply ways to lose the ability to manage a case successfully.
All parties involved in a case have something to contribute. The challenge for busy clinicians can be to find tools that allow them to slow down enough to effectively listen to, take feedback from and provide useful feedback to those involved. The same applies to records and record sharing: we all have records that are incomplete or contain errors. On balance we should be aiming to produce clear,easily under-
stood, accurate and easy to access records for each case that we see. When first assessing a case Ilike to review any previous records or images. Another tool that has been helpful is the use of templates for commonly discussed topics. For example, I have created a document to easily share with clinicians that outlines the steps in referral of a case. This provides both parties with aclear framework of what is expected, what information may be required, how to provide that information and what will be provided in return. The goal is to streamline the process saving both parties time and overtime making referral submission easier and quicker for both sides.
Summary Icontinue to glean tips that I’ve taken into my practice from horse owners, new graduates and experienced clinicians alike. Hopefully there is something here that the reader can apply to their own way of working in veterinary dentistry.
Figure 9. Patient observation
Figure 7. Differences in grass colour
Figure 8. Facial swelling
Figure 10. Cementum
Figure 11. Chronic scarring of tongue
Tailored pet wellness plans launched
Greencross Vets has unveiled its Healthy Pets Plus Lifestage Plans, a first-of-its-kind wellness program designed to offer a tailored approach to pet health based on the life stages of cats and dogs. These plans address agap in the market for comprehensive and proactive pet healthcare solutions.
The Plansare tailored to three key life stages: Puppy and Kitten, Adult, and Senior. Each plan provides a range of benefits that cover everything from preventative healthcare to emergency visits, as well as retail perks through Petbarn’sFriends for Life Loyalty Program. This approach ensures pet owners have an all-in-one solution for their pet’s needs throughout their life.
“For over a decade,Healthy Pets Plushas helped Australian pet
owners take a proactive approach to pet healthcare,” Michelle Dries, Chief Operating Officer –Vet Services at Greencross Pet Wellness Company, explained. “However, we saw an opportunity to improve by tailoring wellness plans to the specific needs ofpets at different life stages. Our new Lifestage Plans offer more targeted and effective preventative care, ensuring pets stay happy and healthy from their earliest days through to their senior years.”
Launched in 2012,Healthy Pets Pluswas one of Australia’s first pet wellness plans, making it easier for pet owners to access quality healthcare for their pets. Now with more than 100,000 members, it remains the highestrated pet wellness product in the country.
Key benefits of theHealthy Pets Plus Lifestage Plansinclude access to GP consults, 24/7 WebVet services, emergency visits, and retail benefits such as discounts on dog washing and pet academy classes at Petbarn. Membership in theFriends for Life Loyalty Programoffers perks such as:
■ Earning points onHealthy Pets Plusplan payments
■ Discounted member pricing on pet food, toys, and accessories
■ 50per cent off DIY dog wash
■ 10 per cent off Puppy School and Kitten Class
With options for fortnightly, monthly, or annual memberships, Healthy Pets Plusalso offers a 10per cent discount for multiplepet households.
TheHealthy Pets Plus Lifestage Plansare available at over 140 Greencross GP clinics and 19 partner emergency sites across Australia, with access to more than 260 Petbarn stores.
For more information and to explore plan inclusions, visitwww.green crossvets.com.au/healthy-pets-plus.
David Hinton to lead Vetstream expansion
Vetstream Ltd, based in Cambridge, UK, has announced the appointment of David Hinton as Senior Advisor to facilitate the company’s international growth. Hinton brings extensive international experience from senior leadership positions in the veterinary sector, including roles with Boehringer Ingelheim, Merial, Vetxx, and most recently Covetrus.
“I am excited to work with Mark and the team at Vetstream as they internationalise their subscriber base,” Hinton said. “I have always placed veterinarians
Abstracts - bottlenose dolphins and killer whales
From page 12 (14.40-85.50 ng ml-1), which are long-chain compounds. Newborn individuals of both species were also exposed to PFAS, indicating transference via placenta and lactation. Linear mixed model analyses indicated significant correlations between aldosterone, month, year, location, and status; and between hydrogen peroxide, month, year, age, status, ΣPFAS, and Σ shortchain PFAS in killer whales suggesting seasonal variations related to the animal's physiological state (e.g., reproductive cycles, stress responses, weaning events) and increased reactive oxygen species formation due to PFAS exposure. Given our results, other contaminant classes should be investigated in cetaceans as they might have additive and synergistic detrimental effects on these individuals. This study lays the foundation to guide future researchers and highlights the importance of such assessments for animal welfare, and species conservation. Our results may inform management decisions regarding regulations of contaminant thresholds in delphinids.
Leila S Lemos1,Estela Manfrin da Silva2,Karen J Steinman3,Todd R Robeck4,Natalia Quinete5 Chemosphere. 2024 Aug 6:364:143038.
doi: 10.1016/j.chemophere.2024. 143038.
1Institute of Environment, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA; Emerging Contaminants of Concern Research Laboratory,Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, College of Arts, Sciences, and Education, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA. Electronic address: leslemos@hotmail.com.
2Emerging Contaminants of Concern Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, College of Arts, Sciences, and Education, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA.
3Species Preservation Laboratory, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, San Diego, CA, 92109, USA.
4Species Preservation Laboratory, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, San Diego, CA, 92109, USA; SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, 7007 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL, 32821, USA.
5Institute of Environment, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA; Emerging Contaminants of Concern Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, College of Arts, Sciences, and Education, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA.
Electronic address: nsoaresq@fiu.edu.
at the heart of my strategies to develop and grow businesses. Vetlexicon perfectly fits that goal by providing a cloud-based resource for clinical support and client education to the highest standards, ensuring the delivery of top-quality veterinary care to vet teams worldwide.”
“Weare very pleased to have David Hinton join our team as Senior Advisor,” Vetstream CEO Mark Johnston said. “He is one of the most experienced commercial executives in the veterinary community, having worked in
North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. His experience spans pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, distributors, and suppliers of practice management and training. He could not be a better person to assist in our global expansion.” Vetstream looks forward to leveraging Hinton's expertise as it continues to support veterinarians through its cloud-based clinical resources and client education tools.
Abstracts - bladder rupture in a dog with dystocia
From page 12 with no identifiable fetuses, and a small rupture of the urinar y bladder wall apex. The bladder wall defect was repaired, and the dog underwent an ovariohysterectomy. Perioperative systemic hypotension was treated with a norepinephrine constant rate infusion and resolved within 24 hours. The dog was discharged 5 days later. The combined peritoneal fluid and uterine fluid culture and sensitivity testing revealed Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, both susceptible to amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid and enrofloxacin. Bladder wall histopathology revealed severe mural congestion, edema, and hemorrhage, without evidence of neoplasia, cystitis, or urolithiasis.
Unique information provided: This is the first case report of a dog with uroabdomen secondary to abladder wall rupture associated with dystocia. Early recognition of this rare phenomenon and vigilance in treatment is essential for a good prognosis and outcome.
Sukjung Lim1, Geoffrey Stuart Hennig2,Alicia Niedzwecki2,Igor Yankin1
JVet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2024 Aug 26.doi: 10.1111/vec. 13415.
1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College Station, Texas, USA.
2BluePearl San Antonio Stone Oak, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Abstracts - effects of meloxicam on Holstein calves
From page 14 JDairy Sci. 2024 Aug;107(8): 60656078.doi: 10.3168/jds.2023-24280.
1Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China 611130.
2Key Laboratoryof Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural
University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China 611130; Animal Disease Control and Prevention Center of Zhongjiang County, Deyang, Sichuan, China 618100.
3Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China 611130. Electronic address: czyhzzc@126.com.
Free article
Survival of marine species under threat
From page 1 predation and disease, making the breeding season a critical period for them. We also found that extreme weather events are the major threat to these species, and these events are increasing in frequency and intensity as the climate changes,” he said.
The species considered to be most at risk include the shy albatross, Australian fur seals, southern rockhopper penguins and Australian sea lions, with snowstorms, heavy rain, strong winds, floods, storm surges and heatwaves negatively impacting 36 of the studied species.
Co-author Mary-Anne Lea, Professor of Polar Marine Ecology at IMAS said although these species had been identified as most at-risk due to suffering recent and significant breeding failures, the study offered a roadmap for targeted conservation efforts.
“Conservation measures are
also more practical on breeding grounds than across the vast oceanic non-breeding habitats. They must focus on protecting critical habitats, fine-scale monitoring protocols and the development of threat-specific climate adaptation strategies,” she said.
Sojitra said such approaches could include increasing native vegetation for natural protection, installing insulated nests to shield seabirds from weather extremes, and relocating vulnerable populations to more stable environments.
“We need more collaborative efforts among scientists, conservationist, industries, the blue economy and policymakers to develop and implement strategies to protect these iconic species and ensure their long-term survival,” he said.
Further information is available at doi.org.10.1111/gcb.17452.
■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT
Pharmaceutical pollution impacting fish From page 1 size and sperm vitality, was altered. This disruption indicates that the pollutant is interfering with the natural trade-offs fish make between survival and reproduction,” she explained.
Senior author Bob Wong, Head, Behavioural Ecology Research Group at MU’s School of Biological Sciences said the disruption of behavioural plasticity and the altered correlations between critical traits could undermine the fish populations’ ability to adapt to environmental challenges, threatening their long-term survival.
“Our results reveal that chronic exposure to global pollutants can affect phenotypic traits at both population and individual levels, and even alter individual-level correlations among such traits in a dosespecific manner,” he said.
The study emphasised the need for a more comprehensive approach to evaluating the ecological and evolutionary consequences of pharmaceutical pollution. It also offered vital insights into how chronic exposure to common pharmaceutical pollutants like fluoxetine can fundamentally alter the traits fish rely on for survival and reproduction, further highlighting the need to address pharmaceutical pollution and implement stricter regulations to protect aquatic life from this threat.
Dubbo’s first spring delivery a tall order
Frompage 1
“We’re really excited to see this little one grow and be joined by others as the season continues.”
Taronga Western Plains Zoo has been a significant contributor to the regional conservation breeding program for giraffes, welcoming 60 calves since 1990. These animals serve as an insurance population for their wild counterparts in Africa, whose numbers have declined by about 40% since the 1980s.
“While wild giraffe numbers have slightly increased recently, their population in Africa has declined by almost 30 per cent over the past three decades,” Cullen said. “Giraffes are now extinct in seven African countries where they once roamed, which highlights theimportance of our breeding program.”
For moreinformation about Taronga’s giraffe breeding program and conservation initiatives, visit www.taronga.org.au.
Collared protection bolsters behaviour understanding
From page 5
had been collared with movement trackers for geospatial studies before, this was the first time the 3D accelerometrydata had provided a fine-scale understanding of animal behaviour with respect to their habitat preferences.
“Combining this data will help us understand how roos of different weights use their hopping gait in various habitats. For example, we know eastern grey kangaroos range widely in rural and coastal urban areas but what components of these areas influence their
Abstracts - lumpy skin disease
From page 14 for good surveillance. EPIWATCH, employing artificial intelligence, provides real-time outbreak signals, and spatial analysis can identify LSD hotspots, leading to timely interventions. This study uses data collected by the EPIWATCH open-source disease surveillance system at the University of New South Wales in 2022 and 2023 and compares it for timeliness and completeness with data available on the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). We found more timely reports of LSD outbreaks in EPIWATCH compared to WAHIS. In conclusion, open-source surveil-
movements and at what speeds?” she said, adding that the collars had already distinguished five bettong behaviours for researchers to analyse: feeding, grooming, various speed hopping, resting and nesting.
Areport released in late 2022 by NRMA Insurance estimated that 10m animals died on Australia’s roads each year due to collisions with motor vehicles, and that wallabies and kangaroos were the species most likely to be impacted in a casualty crash. It is hoped the research will improve safety for
lance tools like EPIWATCH can provide timely alerts of disease emergence, such as LSD outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia, which can supplement formal reporting systems.
DHutchinson1,B Li1,S Lim12, HStone1,C R MacIntyre1 Aust Vet J. 2024 Aug 26.doi: 10.1111/avj.13362.
1Biosecurity Program, The Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
2School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Antarctic at risk from hitchhikers
From page 3 If the recent decline in Antarctic sea ice continues, then living things floating at the surface, or attached to floating objects, could have an easier time colonising the continent which may have big impacts on ecosystems,” Dawson said.
■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT
both road users and wildlife.
“It’s designed to provide an understanding of the biomechanical constraints of roo movements in natural and unnatural landscapes, to better conserve and protect them and to prevent collisions with vehicles,” Annett said.
The study is part of a $434,000 Australian Research Council Discover y Grant awarded to Clemente in collaboration with the University of Queensland, University of London, KU Leuven and University of Southern California.
■ ANNE LAYTON-BENNETT
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Blue whale private lives finally surface
From page 5
government’s Ministry of Tourism, said Timor-Leste’s blue whale monitoring program, known locally as Baleia no Golfinhu iha Timor-Leste, has been a huge success due to its citizen science program and partnerships.
“The program has really developed and grown into a major collaboration between researchers, whale tour operators and tourists, student volunteers and local
fishermen - all sharing information, images and observations about blue whale sightings. They’ve shared with us some amazing blue whale images. Its really been an exciting and shared journey,” he said.
“But now, we really need to use this valuable new information to ensure we fully protect and conserve these animals when they pass through Timor-Leste’swaters and beyond. For this, we urgently need cooperation and support from Australia and the wider international community.”
■ JULIAGARDINER
CREATURE
