Aims: To describe basic husbandry (veterinary care, substrate and bedding, toys, frequency of cleaning) provided to guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) by a sample of owners in New Zealand.
Methods: Respondents were invited to complete a survey disseminated through the social media channels of animal interest and advocacy groups (3 September 2020 to 3 November 2020). Respondents who agreed to participate were asked a range of questions regarding the provision of husbandry to their oldest pet guinea pig. Descriptive statistics are reported here relating to husbandry, length of ownership, provision of substrate, bedding and toys, frequency of cleaning and veterinary care.
Results: A total of 503 responses were received, of which 329 complete responses were analysed. Of these respondents, 208/329 (63.2%) had owned guinea pigs for more than 2 years. Most owners provided a cage with a wooden base as substrate (144/321, 44.9%), bedding (308/329; 93.6%) and toys (169/329; 51.1%). Half (176/329; 53.5%) of respondents reported taking their guinea pig to a veterinarian. Just over half of the owners surveyed cleaned water (165/329; 50.1%) and food (181/329; 55.0%) bowls daily, and a third picked up droppings (109/329; 33.1%) daily.
Conclusions and clinical relevance: While owners provided an array of toys, and a range of bedding and substrate types to their guinea pigs, cages were cleaned out less frequently than recommended, and it was common for guinea pig cages to be cleaned out less frequently than recommended. Future research is required to provide robust and evidence-based links between husbandry and the welfare of pet guinea pigs.
Aims: To investigate the frequency of carriage of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) in a population of clinically normal dogs within the Christchurch and wider Canterbury region, an area in which MRSP has been detected.
Methods: Buccal and perianal swabs were collected from 126 clinically normal dogs presenting at veterinary clinics in the Christchurch/Canterbury region for de-sexing or routine vaccination. S. pseudintermedius was isolated by selective culture. Isolates were tested for susceptibility to 12 antimicrobials by disc diffusion.
Results: S. pseudintermedius was isolated from 92/126 (73.0 (95% CI = 64.4-80.5)%) dogs, with 38/126 (30.2 (95% CI = 22.3-39.0)%) positive dogs carrying S. pseudintermedius at both sampled sites. More animals (78/126; 61.9 (95% CI = 52.8-70.4)%) had positive mouth cultures than positive perianal region cultures (52/126; 41.3 (95% CI = 32.6-50.4)%). No MRSP was isolated from clinically normal dogs. However, resistance to penicillin (106/130 (85.1%) swabs) and tetracycline (33/130 (25.4%) swabs) was seen.
Conclusions: The majority of the dogs in this sample were carriers of S. pseudintermedius. However, none of these isolates were MRSP.
Clinical relevance: While most clinically normal dogs in the studied region are likely to be carriers of S. pseudintermedius, only a small proportion, if any, are likely to be carriers of MRSP. Antibiotic stewardship practices may be important to maintain low-level circulation of drug-resistant bacterial lineages.
Aims: To assess the current level of engagement between backyard poultry keepers and veterinarians in New Zealand; to understand the opportunities and barriers for improving access to poultry health care; and to gauge the interest of backyard poultry keepers in participating in a voluntary national poultry health information system.
Materials and methods: Backyard poultry were defined as any bird species kept for non-commercial purposes. Separate cross-sectional surveys were administered to backyard poultry keepers and veterinarians in New Zealand over 12-week periods starting 22 March 2021 and 03 May 2021 respectively. The veterinarian survey was advertised in the monthly update e-mail from the Veterinary Council of New Zealand, while the survey for backyard poultry keepers was advertised on various online platforms that focus on raising backyard poultry. Results for quantitative variables were reported as basic descriptive statistics, while qualitative free-text responses from open-ended questions were explored using thematic analysis.
Results: A total of 125 backyard poultry keepers and 35 veterinarians completed the survey. Almost half (56/125; 44.8%) of backyard poultry keepers reported that they had never taken their birds to a veterinarian, with common reasons being difficulty finding a veterinarian, cost of treatment, and perceptions that most visits result in the bird being euthanised. The majority (113/125; 90.4%) of backyard poultry keepers reported that a general internet search was their primary source for poultry health advice. However, it remains unclear if owners were satisfied with the advice found online, as many cited that having access to reliable health information would be an incentive for registering with a poultry health information system. Of the veterinarian responses, 29/35 (82.9%) reported treating an increasing number of poultry in the last 5 years, although many (27/35; 77.1%) suggested they would be hesitant to increase their poultry caseload due to concerns over their lack of knowledge and confidence in poultry medicine; a lack of clinic resources to treat poultry; concerns over the cost-effectiveness of treatments; and a general feeling of helplessness when treating poultry, with most consultations being for end-stage disease and euthanasia.
Conclusion: The results of this study highlight opportunities for increased engagement between backyard poultry keepers and veterinarians, including making available accurate poultry health information and providing veterinarians with improved training in poultry medicine. The results also support the development of a poultry health information system in New Zealand to further enhance health and welfare in backyard poultry populations.Abbreviations: MPI: Ministry for Primary Industries.
Aims: To collect baseline data from New Zealand sheep farmers on techniques for docking and castrating lambs, their perceptions of the level of pain lambs experience following these procedures, and their opinions about the use of pain relief.
Methods: From a voluntary cross-sectional survey of New Zealand sheep farmers, descriptive statistics were provided for quantitative study variables. Thematic analysis was performed on the free-text comments. Univariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with farmers indicating they would consider using a device allowing administration of pain relief simultaneously with castration and tail docking.
Results: There were 432 survey responses containing sufficiently complete data for analysis. Of the 340 individuals (77.5%) always or sometimes performing castration of ram lambs, 242 (72.2%) used rubber rings for complete castration, 23 (6.9%) used the short scrotum method for cryptorchid castration, and 75 (22.4%) used a combination of both methods. Of the 423 individuals (97.9%) who indicated that they always or sometimes performed tail docking, 245 (57.9%) used a hot iron only, 148 (35.0%) used a rubber ring only, 26 (5.8%) used both methods, 3 (0.7%) used a surgical knife, and 1 (0.2%) provided no response. Less than 2% of respondents always or sometimes used pain relief for these procedures. Of the 432 respondents, 139 (32.2%) and 180 (41.7%) strongly agreed that castration and tail docking do not cause sufficient pain to warrant using pain relief, respectively. Time and cost were identified as major barriers to providing pain relief. In the unadjusted logistic regression analyses, respondents who were female, had high levels of education, had been farming < 20 years, who believed lambs experienced high levels of pain following the procedures, and who believed pain lasted longer than 6 hours, were more likely to indicate willingness to use pain control devices.
Conclusion and clinical relevance: Our results suggest very few New Zealand sheep farmers currently provide lambs with pain relief following tail docking or castration. This is likely due to the perception that the procedures are not painful enough to warrant pain relief, and concern over time and cost. This highlights the need to educate farmers about lamb pain and distress following tail docking and castration, and its negative impact on animal welfare. Farmers also need pain relief techniques and tools that can be administered simultaneously with these procedures to save time and labour cost.
Aims: To assess the pharmacokinetic profile of ivermectin in Biłgorajska geese (Anser anser domesticus) after single I/V or oral administration, in order to compare these routes of administration and assess oral bioavailability.
Methods: Ten healthy male geese were used in a single-dose, two-phase study with a 3-month washout period between phases. In the first phase, all geese were given 0.2 mg/kg I/V ivermectin, while in the second phase they were treated orally with the same dosage. Blood samples were collected at selected time points up to 480 hours after each administration. Samples were purified using protein precipitation and drug concentration was quantified using HPLC. The analytical method was validated on blank goose plasma and was characterised by an optimal linearity and a limit of quantification of 0.025 μg/mL. The pharmacokinetic analysis was carried out using a non-compartmental approach.
Results: The drug was quantifiable up to 240 hours after I/V administration, while after oral treatment it was quantifiable up to 144 hours in most of the geese. The elimination half-life of ivermectin was approximately 3.8 (95% CI = 1.98-7.92; p = 0.027) times higher after I/V administration compared to oral administration. Moreover, the area under the curve from zero to the last detectable timepoint was 6.4 (95% CI = 4.65-8.74; p < 0.001) hours greater after I/V than oral administration. This difference led to a bioavailability of 20.38 (SD 5.92) %.
Conclusions: Following oral administration in geese, ivermectin has a bioavailability of approximately 20%. Further research on the action of ivermectin in the gastrointestinal tract is required along with assessment of tissue residues to allow calculation of withdrawal time to ensure consumer safety.
Abbreviations: AUC: Area under the concentration-time curve; AUClast: Area under the curve from zero to the last detectable timepoint; AUMC: Area under the first moment curve; Cmax: Maximum concentration; Tmax: Time at maximum plasma concentration.
Case histories: The medical records of three dogs, presenting to the surgery department at a tertiary private referral hospital (Cork, Republic of Ireland), were retrospectively reviewed. The patients presented for investigation of a 3-day history of progressive lethargy, decreased appetite and hindlimb weakness (Case 1); brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) and the development of abnormal licking behaviours (Case 2); and a 2-month history of increased thirst with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in serum (Case 3).
Clinical findings: Case 1 presented with tachycardia, hindlimb paraparesis and neck pain, while Case 2 presented with facial conformation abnormalities consistent with BOAS. General physical examination and neurological assessment were within normal limits for Case 3. Baseline serum biochemistry measurements, in all three patients, indicated elevated activities of ALT and alkaline phosphatase, as well as elevated concentrations of resting bile acids (BA), suggestive of an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) angiography was performed for each dog, which revealed the presence of a portoazygos shunt (PAS) with final insertion into the caudal azygos vein within the thorax.
Treatment and outcome: Abdominal CT angiography images were used for surgical planning and a right-sided intercostal thoracotomy was performed. The location of the thoracotomy was patient-specific and located cranial to the diaphragm, either at the point of PAS insertion into the azygos vein or one rib-space caudal to the insertion, as determined by pre-operative CT images. The intercostal thoracotomy provided good visualisation of the PAS and an appropriate surgical field for placement of a thin film band around the PAS. No surgical complications or post-attenuation seizures were observed. All patients appeared comfortable on oral analgesia and were discharged from the hospital by 48 hours after surgery. All patients demonstrated a clinical improvement when reassessed 6-8 weeks after surgery, and Cases 2 and 3 demonstrated a reduction of resting BA concentrations to within normal limits. The third patient (Case 1) had a considerable reduction in the concentration of resting BA from >140 µmol/L to 20 µmol/L (reference range 0-10 µmol/L) 6-8 weeks after surgery.
Clinical relevance: A right-sided intercostal thoracotomy can be considered for surgical management of PAS in dogs. While both intraoperative and short-term results appear promising, further prospective studies are required before this approach can be recommended as the preferred approach for PAS attenuation.Abbreviations: ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; BA: Bile acids; BOAS: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome; CBC: Complete blood count; CT: Computed tomography; EHPSS: Extrahepatic portosystemic shunt; GLDH: Glutamate dehydro
Aims: To explore practising veterinarians' expectations of an 8-week mindfulness training programme, their perceived barriers to participating in the programme, their experiences of the programme and the extent to which they continued to engage in mindfulness practices following training.
Methods: Participants were 10 companion animal veterinarians practising in Auckland, New Zealand. All took part in an 8-week mindfulness-based training programme. A longitudinal qualitative design was used: data were collected by structured interviews prior to the programme, upon completion of the programme and 3 months after completion. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring themes, or patterns, within the data.
Results: Before commencing the programme, participants generally thought mindfulness training would provide some benefits for wellbeing but were otherwise not clear on what to expect. The main concerns about taking part were time constraints and apprehensions about potentially having to share personal information, and consequently how they might be perceived by other participants. On completion of the training programme, the opportunity to share experiences within the group with the support of a trained facilitator was reported as the most valuable aspect of the programme, rather than the mindfulness practices themselves. At the 3-month follow-up, participants reported they had learnt some useful techniques for managing stressful thoughts and situations, but despite the perceived benefits, few were still practicing mindfulness techniques.
Conclusions and clinical relevance: Training in mindfulness practices may have some value for helping practicing veterinarians manage their wellbeing, but it is not a complete solution in itself. Participants reported that the greatest benefits came from facilitated peer support.
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：