New Zealand veterinary journal最新文献

Case history: This report details investigations into nine cases of neurological disease and/or sudden death in 8-13-week-old puppies between 2021 and 2024. Aside from two pairs of littermates, cases were unrelated. The puppies had an onset of clinical signs 9-23 days following at least one "on-label" dose of a commercially available quadrivalent vaccine containing live attenuated canine distemper virus (CDV).

Clinical findings: Eight of the nine cases displayed signs typical of "classic distemper," including seizures, circling, tremors, hypersalivation, progressive neurological deficits, pyrexia, and/or respiratory and gastrointestinal signs. Pathological and molecular investigations were undertaken in eight cases. Mononuclear/lymphohistiocytic encephalitis or meningoencephalitis with or without neuronal intranuclear inclusion bodies was present in seven cases. Five cases had bronchopneumonia. Other lesions included poliomyelitis, necrotising enteritis and myocardial necrosis or myocarditis. PCR for CDV was positive on tissues from seven cases, and immunohistochemistry for CDV was positive on neural tissues in six cases. Whole genome sequencing of PCR amplicons demonstrated a Rockborn-like strain with 99.9% homogeneity between samples from four cases and a vial of vaccine.

Diagnosis: Based on the combination of case history, pathological findings, molecular test results and/or whole genome sequencing, a diagnosis of post-vaccinal canine distemper was confirmed in six cases and presumed in two.

Clinical relevance: Outbreaks of canine distemper have been stemmed by widespread vaccination starting in the mid-twentieth century. Consequently, confirmed cases of natural CDV have not been reported in New Zealand since an outbreak in the 1980s, and CDV is considered a "notifiable organism" as per the Biosecurity Act 1993. This is the first case series to report genomic investigation of post-vaccinal canine distemper in New Zealand puppies and highlights a rare adverse event associated with routine vaccination. Our results suggest that puppies with neurological, respiratory and/or gastrointestinal disease with an onset within 6 weeks of vaccination with live attenuated CDV should be reported and investigated accordingly.

Aims: To describe the current capacity, resource limitations and challenges of cat and kitten rescue organisations (CKR) in New Zealand; to document the source and destination of the animals cared for; and to explore the role of foster programmes in cat rescue and rehoming in New Zealand.

Methods: A national cross-sectional survey was administered to companion animal rescue organisations in New Zealand in May 2022. For those engaged in CKR, the survey included questions about types and numbers of cats cared for, facilities, locations, origins and outcomes of cats in care, reasons for owner surrender, whether the CKR had a foster programme, and foster programme capacity. Descriptive statistics were provided for all quantitative study variables and free-text comments were analysed for common themes.

Results: Of the 64 organisations that indicated they cared for cats on the broader companion animal rescue survey, 50 (78%) completed the questions on CKR. At the time of the survey, these 50 organisations cared for an estimated total of 6,206 cats (median 39 (IQR 17-96) cats per CKR). The highest reported source of animals was strays (median of the CKR's reported percentage: 72%; IQR 50-93%), followed by surrendered animals (median 14.5%; IQR 5-31%). The most common reasons for owners surrendering animals were unplanned litters, lack of pet-friendly accommodation, and inability to afford to care for the animal's daily needs. An estimated median of 66% (IQR 60-80%) of cats under care in the previous year were subsequently rehomed. Most CKR were "usually" (26/50; 52%) or "always" (11/50; 22%) full to capacity. The majority of CKR that responded operated a fostering programme (40/50; 80%), with an estimated 59% (3,619/6,206) of all cats currently in the care of CKR located in foster homes. The availability of fosterers was identified by CKR as the most important factor affecting their ability to accept animals.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: These findings highlight that CKR in New Zealand currently handle a large volume of animals each year. Initiatives that focus on preventing unplanned litters, ensuring owned free-roaming cats have permanent identification through microchipping, and initiatives to prevent unnecessary owner relinquishment may help to reduce the number of animals entering care. With the majority of CKR relying on foster programmes, there is a need for further research to better understand how these operate and whether there may be opportunities to expand their capacity.

Objectives: This systematic review aims to describe and understand the evidence available for commonly recommended management strategies for feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) to provide guidance for clinicians in their treatment of this condition. A subsequent objective was to identify gaps in the literature and areas where future research may be directed.

Methods: A computerised search of three electronic databases (Discover, Scopus and PubMed) was performed. Results were imported into a single EndNote library and duplicates were removed. Remaining records underwent a two-stage screening process with the aim to identify peer-reviewed primary literature on therapeutic strategies for FIC. Studies were categorised according to one of seven management strategies: environmental modification, dietary manipulation, anti-inflammatory drugs, amitriptyline, glycosaminoglycans, prazosin, and intravesical lidocaine.

Results: Twenty-two studies were included in the final review, with one study providing evidence in two categories. Two studies assessed environmental manipulation, with results showing encouraging evidence for multimodal environmental modification but little evidence to support the use of feline facial pheromone. Five papers examined dietary manipulation, with good evidence for the use of therapeutic urinary diets, and for increasing the moisture content of a cat's diet. Anti-inflammatory drugs were the focus of four studies, with none providing evidence to support their use. Four papers indicated that the evidence to support glycosaminoglycans is lacking. The antispasmodic drug prazosin was purported to be useful in one retrospective paper, while three papers comparing it to a placebo showed no evidence for its use. Three studies assessed amitriptyline, with two indicating that short-term use is not supported, and one long-term study suggesting it may be useful in some refractory cases. One study on intravesical instillation of lidocaine concluded that it was not a useful treatment strategy.

Conclusions: Multimodal environmental modification to reduce stress/conflict and therapeutic urinary foods (particularly if combined with an increase in moisture content of the diet) currently have the strongest evidence to support their use in managing FIC, and should, together, be considered the primary treatment approach. The evidence for other modalities, is currently insufficient to support their use. The overall lack of high quality studies emphasises the need for clinicians to be critical in their evaluation of the published literature on the management of this perplexing condition.

Case history: In April and June of 2024, two outbreaks of photosensitisation occurred in a herd of 354 beef cows and calves in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Both outbreaks occurred in the same paddock, where red clover (Trifolium pratense) was the dominant pasture species, combined with tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus, previously Festuca arundinacea), white clover (T. repens), bird's foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne).

Clinical findings: Signs of head tilt, restlessness, tail swishing, and searching behaviour for shade and water were first observed 15-19 days after grazing, with skin necrosis and eyelid inflammation visible on closer examination. A cumulative incidence of 5.6% and 10.7% was recorded in each outbreak with all animals recovering 5-10 days after removal to a paddock composed of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) and Festuca spp.

Laboratory and pathological: Following the second outbreak, nine serum samples and seven ear skin biopsies were collected from affected animals for assessment of hepatic enzyme activities and histopathology, along with a pasture sample to assess the spore count for Pithomyces chartarum. Serum activity levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were normal in nine and four affected cows, with slightly elevated GGT activities in the remaining five cows. Activities of all other liver enzymes were within normal limits and there was no sign of icterus. Histological examination of the ear skin biopsies revealed necrotising dermatitis and epidermal hyperplasia compatible with photosensitisation. The spore count for P. chartarum was low (11,250 spores/g fresh pasture).

Diagnosis: The epidemiological data, clinical presentation and clinical-pathology findings suggest that these cows were affected by primary photosensitisation most probably due to the ingestion of T. pratense.

Clinical relevance: Identifying a plant species as a cause of primary photosensitisation is difficult, and the aetiological agent often remains unidentified. The association between consumption of a sward containing T. pratense and the photosensitisation reported in this study suggests that this plant species may be acting as a primary cause of photosensitisation in cattle. This study highlights the need for further research to identify toxic elements in T. pratense and their effects on livestock.

Case history: Medical records of cases with pleural effusion managed with the PleuralPort device (PPD) were reviewed retrospectively at two veterinary hospitals in Italy. Cases with PPD placement at initial or second surgery and with a minimum follow-up of 4 weeks were included. Data retrieved from the records included signalment, fluid analysis, duration of implantation, duration of function, and complications. The PPD was placed subcutaneously in the dorsal thorax and connected to a drainage tube inserted in the pleural space. Complications were divided into intra-operative, short-term (≤ 12 weeks) and long-term (> 12 weeks). Owners were contacted by telephone for follow-up information, using a non-standardised questionnaire.

Clinical findings: A total of 30 animals were included in the study: 26 dogs and four cats. Pleural fluid was compatible with chylothorax (22/30), neoplastic pleural effusion (5/30) and inflammatory pleural effusion (3/30).No intra-operative complications were reported. Overall, post-operative complications occurred in 9/30 (30%) patients. Major complications developed in six (20%) cases, including infection, tube kinking, pneumothorax and obstruction. Minor complications in four cases (13.3%) included skin inflammation, discomfort and dislocation of the device. Short-term complications developed in 7/30 (23.3%) cases and long-term complications in 3/22 (13.6%) cases that survived longer than 12 weeks after surgery. Owner satisfaction was very good in 28/30 (93.3%) cases.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: The PPD was well tolerated by the animals and was a feasible alternative to thoracostomy tubes for the management of chronic pleural effusion in dogs and cats. Although complications were relatively common, they were easily treated in most patients.

Case history: A gland of a cow with a high somatic cell count (385,000 cells/mL at 116 days in milk) was enrolled in a therapeutic subclinical mastitis study following a positive pre-enrolment culture. One week later, the quarter was treated with 1 g of procaine penicillin on three occasions, 12 hours apart (Day 0 and 1). A further milk sample was obtained from the quarter on Days 6, 14, and 21 after initiation of treatment.

Clinical findings: Milk samples were submitted for routine bacteriological culture and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionised time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) analysis. A Gram-negative motile rod was isolated from all samples which could not be speciated using the laboratory's standard panel of biochemical tests. The isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF as Bordetella bronchiseptica. Whole genome sequencing and comparison with publicly available genomic sequences showed that the bovine isolate did not cluster with any previously published B. bronchiseptica sequences.

Diagnosis: Subclinical mastitis caused by infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Clinical relevance: Only one other case report could be found of this organism being identified in milk samples. Greater use of advanced identification systems will likely increase the number of organisms identified from mastitic milk samples. Appropriate identification is important to aid decision-making as, given the response to therapy and laboratory findings, there is a poor likelihood of bacteriological cure with beta-lactam therapy for this organism.

Case history: Three human leptospirosis cases from a case-control study were recruited for in-contact animal and environment sampling and Leptospira testing between October 2020 and December 2021. These cases were selected because of regular exposure to livestock, pets, and/or wildlife, and sampling was carried out on their farms or lifestyle blocks (sites A-C), with veterinarians overseeing the process for livestock, and cases collecting environmental and wildlife samples.

Laboratory findings: Across the three sites, a total of 137 cattle, > 40 sheep, 28 possums, six dogs, six rats, three pigs and three rabbits were tested. Herd serology results on Site A, a dairy farm, showed infection with Tarassovi and Pomona; urinary shedding showed Leptospira borgpetersenii str. Pacifica. Animals were vaccinated against Hardjo, Pomona and Copenhageni. The farmer was diagnosed with Ballum. On Site B, a beef and sheep farm, serology showed infection with Pomona; animals were not vaccinated, and the farmer was diagnosed with Hardjo. On Site C, cattle were shedding L. borgpetersenii; animals were not vaccinated, and the case's serovar was indeterminate. Six wild animals associated with Sites A and C and one environmental sample from Site A were positive for pathogenic Leptospira by PCR.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the complexity of potential exposures and the difficulty in identifying infection sources for human cases. This reinforces the need for multiple preventive measures such as animal vaccination, the use of personal protective equipment, pest control, and general awareness of leptospirosis to reduce infection risk in agricultural settings.

Clinical relevance: Farms with unvaccinated livestock had Leptospira infections, highlighting the importance of animal vaccination. Infections amongst stock that were vaccinated emphasise the importance of best practice vaccination recommendations and pest control.