New Zealand veterinary journal最新文献

Aims: To collate information on the analgesic drugs used in native bird species by wildlife facilities in Aotearoa New Zealand and to explore the rationale for the choice of dose used.

Methods: A survey was conducted to collect information regarding analgesic type and dosing in New Zealand native birds. The survey was emailed to 26 wildlife centres in New Zealand and responses were received between April and August 2021. Respondents were invited to participate in an interview after completing the survey to elaborate on their responses.

Results: Survey responses were received from 11 facilities, and four follow-up interviews were conducted. The 11 facilities treated 42 different species of native birds. The most frequently reported analgesic used for the treatment of native birds was meloxicam, but butorphanol, buprenorphine and gabapentin were also reported to be commonly used. A variety of responses were received about the method used to determine the analgesic dose. Administration of analgesia to birds in these facilities was via IM, IV or SC injection, orally, or topically. Of the four respondents who answered the question, 75% believed there to be insufficient information widely available on the safe and effective doses for analgesia for birds.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Meloxicam, butorphanol and tramadol were most frequently reported as commonly used analgesic drugs for avian species endemic to NZ. We highlight the need for further research on the dose requirements for analgesic drugs in New Zealand native birds to provide optimal care to this group of patients.

Aim: To determine how frequently cytotoxic chemotherapy is administered in small animal practice to treat cancer and the reasons why clinics and clinicians do or do not offer and administer chemotherapy in New Zealand.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving veterinarians working in small and mixed animal practice was performed using an online questionnaire distributed via social media and email. The survey included closed and open-ended questions on respondent demographics, frequency of chemotherapy administration, medications used, cancers treated, and factors influencing administration. Fisher's exact tests were used to assess associations between variables, and content analysis was applied to open-ended responses.

Results: Completed questionnaires were returned by 164 veterinarians working in New Zealand during the study period. Of the 164 respondents, 131 (80%) stated that they would probably or definitely discuss cytotoxic chemotherapy with clients as a potential treatment option for small animals with cancer. Within the 12-months preceding July 2023, 56 (34%) respondents had personally administered chemotherapy and 96 (58.5%) worked at clinics where it was administered: 5 (3%) administered it weekly, 6 (4%) at least monthly, 21 (12.8%) every 1-6 months, and 22 (13.4%) every 6-12 months.The most common reason given for administering chemotherapy was to provide comprehensive care to the patient. Improving quality and quantity of life was frequently reported. The most common reason for not administering chemotherapy was referral of cases externally for treatment. Excluding referral, respondents stated they do not administer chemotherapy because of insufficient knowledge regarding chemotherapy and the medications used, or insufficient training in how to handle and administer cytotoxic medications. Of the veterinarians that do not currently perform chemotherapy, 40% and 42% would consider performing it if they had additional education in oncology and chemotherapy, and in the handling and administration of cytotoxic medications, respectively.

Conclusion: Cytotoxic chemotherapy is frequently discussed as a treatment option by veterinarians in New Zealand but is currently administered by a smaller proportion. Decisions to use chemotherapy are guided by quality-of-life considerations and adherence to standards of care, while limited knowledge and training hinders its use by other clinicians.

Clinical relevance: Chemotherapy is administered less frequently in New Zealand than in the UK. Continuing education and the development of resources that further clinicians' knowledge regarding oncology, chemotherapy, and safe drug handling and administration are needed to support wider adoption in clinical practice.

Event history: A moment magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Central Italy on 6 April 2009, causing widespread damage to the city of L'Aquila and nearby villages in the Abruzzo region, affecting the resident population and their livestock and companion animals. Approximately 67,000 people were forced to leave their homes, in many cases with their animals, around 40,000 of whom were temporarily housed in tent camps.

Response: A veterinary crisis unit (Veterinary Action), coordinated by the Director of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "Giuseppe Caporale" (Teramo, Italy), Operational Structure of the National Civil Protection Service, was immediately activated to restore and strengthen the local capacity to manage animal health and welfare issues, protect public health and mitigate food safety risks in the affected area. A surveillance system was promptly implemented to assess the situation by gathering in-field information, and to identify and address urgent needs, plan and coordinate interventions, and quickly mobilise the necessary resources. Veterinarians and public health operators, private practitioners, volunteers, animal owners and ordinary citizens operated in concert with the Department of Civil Protection to evacuate, secure, treat and assist animals affected by the disaster and to ensure adherence to food safety protocols in the reception areas for displaced people. A dedicated information network facilitated the coordination of various types of responders and the optimal use of material resources and professional services.

Relevance: This article is the result of a multidisciplinary effort to collect, describe and analyse how veterinary public health interventions were planned, organised and carried out to mitigate the impact of the most devastating earthquake in central Italy in the last 40 years. This detailed and comprehensive report provides specific real-life examples and recommendations to plan timely and efficient interventions whilst maintaining the highest standards of animal health, welfare, and food safety in the case of catastrophic events. By capturing insights from those involved, readers will benefit from the knowledge generated and lessons learned to strengthen the capacities of veterinary services to respond to future non-epidemic emergencies.

An essential component of a timely response to a disaster event or disease outbreak is an accurate understanding of the population at risk, its location, and the owners' contact details. In equines, this can be achieved through individual identification, via microchipping, and the registration of these individuals in a centralised database. This review outlines the development by the New Zealand Equine Health Association (NZEHA) of a centralised database for equines in New Zealand, the National Equine Identification and Traceability (NEIT) system, which is built using Companion Animal New Zealand's (CANZ) database infrastructure. The utility of NEIT and the equine component of the NZCAR database in preparing for and responding to the health and welfare needs of equines during disaster events is also reviewed. Horses involved in the racing industry in New Zealand are required to be registered. There are also approximately 70 equine organisations, such as breed societies and those responsible for organising sport or recreational activities. Equines may be registered with more than one organisation, creating duplication. Few registers have mechanisms to ensure they are up to date. As such, information on these registers is unlikely to be sufficiently accurate to be useful in the event of an emergency response. In addition, they may lack the location of the equine and contact details of the owner, limiting their value as a response tool. Furthermore, many equines in New Zealand, including feral and domestic populations, may not be registered. These limitations, alongside biosecurity preparedness concerns, resulted in NZEHA leading the development of the NEIT system, enabled by CANZ.Microchipping has been selected over other identification methods for the New Zealand equine population. Microchips are a safe method of providing equines with a unique lifetime identification number. Further, the use of microchips in equines is already mandatory for horses bred to race in New Zealand (Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds), with some breed societies (e.g. the New Zealand Warmblood Association) requiring microchipping for registration. The microchipping of New Zealand equines aligns with local trends in traceability for companion animals and cattle and global trends for equines. Having equines registered on a centralised database enables the timely implementation of control strategies, especially in cases where vaccination is used. This review describes the pitfalls with current equine registers, and the need to develop a unified system of hosting applicable information as part of preparedness planning, ensuring increased efficiency of emergency response and recovery.

Aims: To examine the self-reported psychological impacts for professional and volunteer responders associated with attending animal-related emergencies and disasters, focusing on their experience and self-reported management.

Methods: An online survey of professional and volunteer responders to animal-related emergencies was shared via social media and international response organisations. Questions addressed demographic, training and event-related factors, perceptions of effects on well-being and post-event management recovery techniques. A particular event was recalled in free-text, and respondents indicated how they had been affected using free-text reflection and Likert scale assessment. The revised Impact of Event Scale (IES-R) was used to identify evidence of possible post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Factors associated with the self-assessed binary outcome of compromised mental well-being (yes or no) were evaluated using single-predictor and multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Of 227 responses deemed sufficiently complete for analysis, participants' rescue experience ranged from 1-60 years; 67% identified as female. Most respondents (57%; 129/227) reported that the incident described affected their mental well-being. A multivariable model found female responders more likely than males to report compromised well-being (OR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.25-4.57; p = 0.009). The presence of an animal injury (OR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.44-5.75; p = 0.003), injuries to a member of the public (OR = 3.73, 95% CI = 1.68-8.99; p = 0.002), or a team member (OR = 8.65 95% CI 2.25-57.67; p = 0.006), increased the odds of self-reported adverse mental health outcomes. Six per cent (13/227) of respondents had an IES-R score for which partial PTSD may be a clinical concern, and 3% (7/227) had a score indicative of possible PTSD, including four with a score that has been associated with PTSD and long-term health consequences. Of those who tried well-being support techniques, 95% (187/197) ranked talking with friends, family or teammates as effective. Debriefing with the team or mentor was also effective (95%; 187/197). Socialising was effective for 88% (119/135), and mindfulness or meditation for 87% (91/105).

Conclusion and clinical relevance: Responders to emergencies involving animals are at risk of psychological trauma associated with these events, potentially leading to the compromise of mental well-being. Psychosocial supports self-identified as helpful for recovery include talking with others, socialising, physical or recreational activity, debriefing, and mindfulness or meditation, but their effectiveness requires objective evaluation so that education on mitigation and recovery strategies is well-informed.

Case history: A seasonal syndrome, presenting as corneal oedema and distinct from infectious keratoconjunctivitis, has been reported in sheep, goats, and camelids in New Zealand. This study details the diagnostic investigation on two properties, of multiple cases of corneal oedema in small ruminants. Outbreak 1 occurred in a mob of sheep in April/May 2023 in the Manawatū region, with 27/52 sheep affected. Outbreak 2 occurred in a group of farmed goats in February/March 2024 in the Auckland region, with 4/5 goats affected.

Clinical findings: A spectrum of corneal abnormalities, including focal and diffuse corneal oedema and bullous keratopathy/corneal hydrops, were observed in both the sheep and goats. All animals had normal menace responses and pupillary light reflexes, and there was no associated blepharospasm, epiphora or ocular discharge, except in five sheep that developed secondary ulcerative keratitis. These five sheep had severe ulceration or corneal perforation necessitating euthanasia, while the other affected sheep all recovered within 5 months. The corneal oedema in all goats improved over the following 6 months, but one required a thermokeratoplasty procedure to aid resolution of the oedema and the other three goats had residual focal oedema that did not appreciably affect vision.

Diagnosis: It is proposed that a primary corneal endothelial dysfunction was the cause of the oedema, but the aetiopathogenesis is not well understood.

Clinical relevance: This is the first peer-reviewed description of this presentation in New Zealand. In contrast to other causes of corneal oedema in ruminants, seasonal corneal oedema is, in some cases, self-limiting with minimal impacts on production and welfare. However, secondary ulceration and corneal perforation may occur, which is painful and may lead to deep infections and permanent visual deficits. Topical antibiotic therapy does not appear to aid in the resolution of the oedema.

Abbreviations: MPI: Ministry for Primary Industries.

Aims: To investigate the genotypes of Chlamydia psittaci in birds associated with two clusters of disease from a zoological collection in New Zealand.

Materials and methods: Samples were collected over two time periods from birds resident at Auckland Zoo (Auckland, NZ). In 2016, two little penguins/kororā (Eudyptula minor) showed respiratory disease on admission to the zoo hospital. Post-mortem samples of liver and lung were collected from the penguins and from 10 other birds from the zoo's collection that died without clinical signs. Further, 128 conjunctival, choanal and cloacal swabs were collected from 27 different bird species, all housed within the zoo and without clinical signs.In 2019, a cluster of deaths of four diamond doves (Geopelia cuneata) and two superb parrots (Polytelis swainsonii) occurred in one mixed-species aviary. Twenty post-mortem samples were collected from these birds and other birds that died around the same time across the zoo. DNA was extracted from all samples and initially tested for C. psittaci using a high-resolution melting quantitative PCR (HRM qPCR) protocol. We applied multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) on 10 C. psittaci-positive samples from four different avian species, including one sample from 2016 (little penguin) and nine post-mortem samples from 2019.

Results: C. psittaci was detected in 14/140 (0.10; 95% CI = 0.061-0.161) of the samples from 2016 from seven species. A penguin sample was sequenced aligning with ompA genotype B and was later characterised by MLST as C. psittaci strain ST27. With the exception of the sample from the sick penguin, the positive results yielded very low DNA copy numbers in the HRM qPCR, potentially indicating latent infections. In the 2019 cluster, C. psittaci was detected in 9/20 post-mortem samples from three bird species (diamond dove, superb parrot, and zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata)). All nine sample sequences aligned with ompA genotype B and were characterised by MLST as C. psittaci strain ST27.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: C. psittaci was present within the zoological collection in a variety of bird species associated with two disease clusters. Most of these infections were asymptomatic, but a cluster of deaths due to avian chlamydiosis in 2019 affecting three species of birds was due to a single genotype, ST27, that was also present in a wild penguin in 2016. This provides evidence of pathogenicity in birds for this genotype.

Abbreviations: C-C-C: Conjunctival, choanal slit and cloacal swabs; Cq: Cycle threshold; HRM qPCR: High resolution melting quantitative PCR; MLST: Multi-locus sequence typing; ompA: Outer membrane protein A; ST: Sequence type; WGS: Whole genome sequencing.

Aims: To assess the effectiveness of testing young calves using an ELISA for antibodies to Neospora caninum with adjusted cut-off values to account for the presence of maternal antibodies, as an aid in decision-making during calf-rearing, with the purpose of eradicating neosporosis from endemically infected dairy herds.Methods: Replacement heifer calves on two dairy farms with endemic neosporosis were blood sampled at approximately 1-4 weeks of age. Sera were tested with an ELISA for antibodies to N. caninum, with the thresholds increased (based on unpublished data) to account for colostrum intake. The sample/positive (S/P) cut-off value for seronegative animals was increased from the manufacturer's recommendation of S/P < 30 to < 70; the S/P value for seropositive was increased from ≥ 40 to ≥ 100; and S/P values 70-100 were considered inconclusive. Calves with inconclusive results were retested using standard thresholds at approximately 4 months of age (after colostral antibodies had waned). Seropositive calves were removed from the replacement herd. This protocol was first implemented in 2016. From 2018 onwards, parentage testing was carried out, and the calves' results were extrapolated to their dams. Dams of seropositive calves were bred predominantly to beef semen. The proportion of seronegative calves in each cohort from 2016 to 2023 was calculated, and the reproductive performance of seronegative replacement calves (% producing a calf at approximately 24 months of age) was analysed.Results: The proportion of seropositive replacement calves peaked in 2017 (19.5%) and by 2023 had reduced to 1.2%. The odds of a heifer being seronegative in 2023 compared to 2016 were 14.0 (95% CI = 4.12-87.56) times higher. Compared to 2014/2015 when replacement heifers' serostatus was unknown, after 2016 (the first year when replacement heifer serostatus was established) at least 12.9% more heifers produced a calf at approximately 24 months of age; compared to 2014 the odds were at least 2.88 (95% CI = 1.75-4.88) times higher.Conclusions and clinical relevance: Combining early testing of replacement heifers with the identification and breeding management of dams of seropositive replacement heifers reduced the proportion of seropositive heifer calves in subsequent years and improved the reproductive performance of heifer cohorts. Further research is required to establish optimal ELISA cut-off values, but this strategy is likely to be a useful tool to reduce the N. caninum seroprevalence in endemically infected dairy herds.Abbreviations: BVDV: Bovine viral diarrhoea virus; S/P: Sample/positive ratio.

Case history: Three dogs with adrenal masses scheduled for adrenalectomy were prospectively enrolled into a study to investigate the effectiveness of a 1:1-scale, three-dimensional (3D) printed model of neoplastic adrenal glands to aid surgical planning and provide intra-operative assistance during adrenalectomy in dogs.Case 1 presented with anorexia, lethargy and a distended abdomen; Case 2 with loss of appetite, behavioural changes, and vocalisation; and Case 3 with mild inappetence during the previous 15 days.Clinical and imaging findings: On physical examination, mild abdominal pain was noted in all cases. Case 1 was consistently mildly hypertensive over repeated measurements. All cases had mild or moderate elevations in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, and the concentration of C-reactive protein. Cases 1 and 2 also had mild leucocytosis. Abdominal CT revealed a left-sided adrenal tumour with caval invasion in Case 1, and right-sided adrenal tumours without caval invasion in Cases 2 and 3. 3D-printed models were created from the CT scan. Different colours were assigned to anatomical structures for better visualisation. Measurements of six anatomical landmarks were made on CT images and on the 3D-printed model. The median absolute difference in measurements taken from the model and the CT scan was 0.75 (min 0, max 3.2) mm.Treatment and outcome: All dogs underwent surgical removal of the adrenal tumour via sterno-pubic celiotomy. Placing the 3D model on the operating table in the same orientation as the patient allowed for precise pre-planning of the dissection depth. Printed without the fat, and fibrous and capsular tissues that typically cover the retroperitoneal space, the model helped the surgeon to visualise vascular structures that were still covered by connective tissue in the patient. Subjectively, the use of 3D models improved surgical planning and execution by enhancing the understanding of anatomical relationships and enabling the accurate identification of surgical landmarks.No major intra-operative complications were reported. Post-operative outcomes were favourable, with no significant complications observed.Clinical relevance: The use of 3D-printed models in adrenal surgeries for dogs may enhance the surgeon's spatial awareness and intra-operative confidence. We recommend that these models are used in conjunction with CT imaging for effective pre-operative planning. Further research with larger sample sizes and a control group would allow a fuller exploration of the benefits of 3D-printed models in veterinary surgical practices.Abbreviations: ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; CRP: C-reactive protein; CVC: Caudal vena cava; 3D: Three-dimensional.