Australian Veterinary Journal最新文献

Clinical enzymology studies the enzyme activity in serum or other body fluids for the diagnosis, prognosis or monitoring of a variety of diseases. Clinical enzymology has greatly benefited from advances in technology and is now an integral part of laboratory analysis. However, to maximise the clinical benefits of serum enzyme measurement, clinicians and clinical pathologists must have a good understanding of the pathophysiology behind serum enzyme alterations. They must also be aware of the preanalytical and analytical factors that can affect the accuracy of serum enzyme activity measurement. This review article first covers the basic concepts of clinical enzymology and the general mechanisms related to serum enzyme alterations. Then, the review discusses the potential effects of various preanalytical and analytical factors on enzyme activity measurement. Lastly, it explores the pathophysiology and clinical use of various serum enzymes in canine and feline medicine. The present review article aims to be a comprehensive one-stop source for clinical pathologists and small animal practitioners.

Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is a member of the Lyssavirus genus of the Rhabdoviridae family and is found in Australian bat species. It is of public health concern because of the rabies-like syndrome it causes in humans, resulting in government health and wildlife agencies using varied communication approaches to inform targeted audiences about zoonotic risks associated with handling bats. Despite these warnings, the number of reports of human-bat interactions remains high. This paper details a survey conducted to analyse the approaches utilised by a range of stakeholders to educate and communicate warnings to their target audiences. The survey focused on identifying the target audiences, communication methods used, along with the message frequency, content, and perceived effectiveness. Analysis of the top three messages delivered by stakeholders revealed that over half were information-focused messages and over a third, instruction-focused. Stakeholders identified the need to balance messaging about bat handling risks with information regarding the vulnerable status of bats and their environmental significance. Whilst the most common and (perceived) effective method of communication was one-on-one discussions, it was also identified to be ineffective for targeting mass audiences leading stakeholders to recognise the need to adapt to more efficient means of communication. The outcomes of this study may be useful to improve risk communication strategies regarding ABLV in Australia.

Marsupostrongylus spp. are the metastrongyloid nematodes most commonly associated with verminous pneumonia in Australian marsupials. Currently, there is a scarcity of information regarding this parasite in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Thirty-four free-living possums submitted to two wildlife hospitals in Sydney, Australia, between 2008 and 2015 were diagnosed with verminous pneumonia on postmortem examination. The majority of possums presented ill with multiple comorbidities. However, only five cases had clinical signs of respiratory disease. Necropsy and histopathology revealed extensive lung lesions characterised by diffuse, mixed interstitial infiltrates of macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells with mild to marked concentrations of eosinophils. Bronchopneumonia, pulmonary oedema, interstitial fibrosis, atelectasis and type II pneumocyte hyperplasia were also present in most cases. Adult nematodes, first-stage larvae and embryonating eggs were present in the large airways and alveolar spaces. The parasites were definitively identified as Marsupostrongylus spp. in eight cases with presumptive diagnoses based on histopathological characteristics reached in a further 26 cases. Twenty-nine of the 34 affected possums were adults with no sex predisposition. A review of the brushtail possum records at Taronga Wildlife Hospital from 1999 to 2015 revealed no lungworm infections were reported in the 45 possums examined before 2008. However, between 2008 and 2015, 30 of 47 possums (63.8%) examined were diagnosed with metastrongyloid lungworms. This case series is the first detailed report of Marsupostrongylus nematodes in common brushtail possums and highlights the clinical and pathological features, along with epidemiological findings.

The successful rehabilitation and release of raptor chicks can be challenging, especially when the chicks are still in the post-fledging dependency period. Here, we report on a recently fledged powerful owl chick that was held in care for 33 days before being successfully reunited with its parents. We document the steps undertaken during the entire process from collection from the wild to post-release monitoring and recommend clinical procedures for treatment of raptors entering veterinary facilities. Success of this rehabilitation was facilitated by early care and treatment for potential rodenticide poisoning, as well as the integration of citizen scientists monitoring the family unit in the field while the chick was in care and during the post-release period. Given the emerging evidence of widespread rodenticide poisoning in raptors both in Australia and globally, it is critical to suspect all raptors may have been exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides and commence treatment with vitamin K immediately. Routine treatment for rodenticides early increases the probability of successful recovery post-trauma as well as reducing the time in treatment as much as possible.

Cattle control body temperature in a narrow range over varying climatic conditions. Endogenous body heat is generated by metabolism, digestion and activity. Radiation is the primary external source of heat transfer into the body of cattle. Cattle homeothermy uses behavioural and physiological controls to manage radiation, convection, conduction, and evaporative exchange of heat between the body and the environment, noting that evaporative mechanisms almost exclusively transfer body heat to the environment. Cattle control radiation by shade seeking (hot) and shelter (cold) and by huddling or standing further apart, noting there are intrinsic breed and age differences in radiative transfer potential. The temperature gradient between the skin and the external environment and wind speed (convection) determines heat transfer by these means. Cattle control these mechanisms by managing blood flow to the periphery (physiology), by shelter-seeking and standing/lying activity in the short term (behaviourally) and by modifying their coats and adjusting their metabolic rates in the longer term (acclimatisation). Evaporative heat loss in cattle is primarily from sweating, with some respiratory contribution, and is the primary mechanism for dissipating excess heat when environmental temperatures exceed skin temperature (~36°C). Cattle tend to be better adapted to cooler rather than hotter external conditions, with Bos indicus breeds more adapted to hotter conditions than Bos taurus. Management can minimise the risk of thermal stress by ensuring appropriate breeds of suitably acclimatised cattle, at appropriate stocking densities, fed appropriate diets (and water), and with access to suitable shelter and ventilation are better suited to their expected farm environment.

Like the rest of the world, Australia is in the throes of a dire shortage of veterinarians, while the demand for veterinary professional services grows. This combination has a very real impact on veterinarians' workload and stress, with significant mental health impacts. Times have changed in our profession and it is time for a change in our practice. We need to look at a different way of managing veterinary workloads and demands and, in particular, better utilise our paraprofessional staff. It is the solution right under our noses embracing our veterinary technologists and nurses.

This report describes a case of canine segmental external auditory canal atresia (EACA). The dog was managed medically with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs until clinical deterioration, at which time a novel and successful end-to-end anastomosis surgical repair was performed. At the 30 day postoperative re-examination, the dog was clinically well and otoscopy confirmed that there was no evidence of auditory canal stenosis. The patient remained free of ongoing issues 20 months after the surgery. End-to-end anastomosis should be considered for treatment of developmental segmental EACA in the canine.