Australian Veterinary Journal最新文献

Ehrlichia canis, Babesia spp. and Dirofilaria immitis are blood-borne pathogens transmitted to dogs by arthropods. The aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of E. canis, Babesia spp. and D. immitis in domestic dogs, aged 6 months or older, in Townsville, in far north Queensland, Australia. Dogs were recruited through convenience sampling, with the assistance of local veterinary clinics and James Cook University staff and students. Up to 3 ml of blood was collected per dog, into EDTA vacutainer tubes. Testing for E. canis and Babesia spp. was performed through qPCR, with a second PCR used to identify the species in Babesia-positive cases. Testing for D. immitis was performed using a commercial antigen detection kit and the modified Knott's test (MKT); microfilariae identity was confirmed by morphological features and qPCR. Of 301 dogs sampled, none tested positive for E. canis, whereas 9 (3.0%, 95% CI 1.1–4.9%) tested positive for Babesia vogeli, and 15 (5.0%; 95% CI 2.5–7.5%) tested positive for D. immitis, based on the combined antigen and MKT results.

Canine spirocercosis in Australia has been poorly described in the veterinary literature. The objectives of this multicentre retrospective case series were to increase the awareness of veterinarians (including teleradiology providers) regarding Spirocerca lupi in Australia and to describe the thoracic radiographic findings of dogs infected with S. lupi with comparison to other endemic regions. Fifty-nine dogs with a diagnosis of canine spirocercosis were recruited from veterinary practices located in subtropical and tropical Australia. Many (54/59; 92%) originated from Mount Isa, Queensland, due to proactive screening. Thoracic radiographs identified 42 oesophageal masses in 35/59 (59%) of affected dogs. Identification of oesophageal masses was nearly always facilitated by oesophageal gaseous distension after gastro-oesophageal endoscopy, sedation or anaesthesia (33/35, 94%). Oesophageal masses were most frequently centred at T8. Where the aorta was visualised, aortic enlargement was detected in 17/42 (40%) dogs. Spondylitis was frequently detected (32/59; 54%) and most frequently located at T8-11. Spondylosis deformans was less frequently detected (14/59; 24%) but in 7/14 (50%) studies it was present concurrently with spondylitis. Spondylitis had varied morphological features, some of which were contrary to previously reported definitions. Despite this, the radiographic appearance of spondylitis allowed relatively reliable differentiation from spondylosis deformans and added significant confidence to the radiographic diagnosis of spirocercosis. Pleural effusion (5/59; 8%) was the most frequent additional radiographic finding. In conclusion, thoracic radiographic findings of canine spirocercosis in Australia are similar to other endemic regions and S. lupi is present in multiple regions of Australia not previously reported.

Reference intervals (RIs) or reference ranges are crucial tools in clinical practice and research, aiding in the interpretation of laboratory test results by providing values expected in a healthy population. This paper provides haematology and biochemistry reference intervals and ranges established from a population of urban brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) captured for health assessment on Sydney University campus, Australia.

Australia is free from many economically devastating emergency animal diseases (EADs) that threaten livestock production in neighbouring countries. In Australia, an important consideration for EAD control is managing susceptible feral animal populations, especially in remote and inaccessible areas where carcass disposal poses considerable logistical challenges. One proposed solution is to utilise natural decomposition above ground through the ‘destroy and let lie’ (D&LL) method, relying on post-mortem changes in carcass temperature and pH to inactivate the EAD agent. We investigated temperature and pH changes in pig carcasses from death until end-stage decomposition at two locations in Queensland to gain insights into how carcasses left in situ decompose under Australian conditions. Using regression modelling, we identified days since humane killing, air temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, anatomical site and study location as significant predictors of carcass pH and temperature. Although the observed carcass pH and temperature conditions did not meet African swine fever virus (ASFV) inactivation thresholds, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) was likely to be inactivated in the thoracic cavity, superficial and deep skeletal muscle and abdominal cavity of most carcasses. However, FMDV inactivation thresholds were not reached in bone marrow and brain. This suggests that these carcasses may potentially remain infectious with ASFV and FMDV in situ under the experimental conditions encountered, based on the inactivation thresholds selected. Despite this, culling large portions of a feral pig population, in conjunction with D&LL disposal approach, may still support disease control imperatives during an EAD response by reducing live pig numbers and disease transmission.

In Australia, feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are the primary host for Brucella suis. The incidence of B. suis brucellosis in dogs in Queensland (QLD) and New South Wales (NSW) has increased, likely due to hunting and consumption of feral pig meat. This study aimed to update estimates of B. suis seroprevalence and spatial distribution in feral pigs and assess the risk of transmission to dogs. Serology results from 686 feral pigs in QLD and NSW were analysed, with seroprevalence correlated to pig population density. Serology results from 3074 dogs in QLD and NSW were mapped to local government areas (LGAs) and compared with pig density. Raw feral pig meat sold for pet consumption was tested for B. suis. Thirty-seven feral pigs were seropositive, with a survey adjusted true seroprevalence of 17% (95% confidence interval [CI] 12% to 22%) in QLD and 11% (95% CI 8% to 14%) in NSW. No positive spatial autocorrelation between positive and negative pigs was identified. Six hundred dogs from 26 QLD LGAs and 37 NSW LGAs were seropositive, showing a positive association with pig density. Brucella suis DNA was detected in commercially sold feral pig meat. This study found an increased prevalence and geographical expansion of infected pig populations potentially increasing the risk for B. suis transmission. The wide distribution and high level of detection in at-risk dogs highlight the links to pig hunting. Investigating human and dog cases could help identify infected pig populations, enabling hunters to reduce contact with infected pigs in those areas.

Catheterisation of the urinary bladder is a common procedure during perioperative care of horses. Benefits of urinary catheters include a reduction in the risk of recovery-associated slip hazards as a consequence of voided urine and the measurement of urine output during anaesthesia. However, there is little information regarding the risks associated with this procedure. A retrospective cohort study was undertaken in horses admitted to a university teaching hospital for surgery during which a urinary catheter was placed perioperatively. Data were retrieved from clinical records including signalment, procedure type, presence of pre-existing urinary/renal pathology, timing of catheter placement, complications from catheterisation, injuries during recovery and total volume of urine. Records were searched for evidence of urinary tract infections (UTI) or urethral strictures at any time following catheterisation. Descriptive statistics were calculated for numerical data. A total of 218 horses were included. The majority of catheters (n = 157, 70.7%) were placed immediately prior to recovery. The median volume of urine collected during anaesthesia was 4.89 mL/kg (0.0–37.66 mL/kg). The duration of catheterisation ranged from less than 20 min to 4 days. Complications occurred in three horses (1.4%) where the catheter could not be passed through the urethra, resulting in minor urethral trauma in one case. No clinical signs of UTI or urethral stricture were reported in any horse post-catheterisation. Short-term placement of urinary catheters during the perioperative period has a low incidence of complications. Difficulty inserting the catheter is occasionally encountered and may result in urethral injury.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has progressively increased as an economically significant viral pathogen to the global agricultural and livestock industries, especially in those countries listed as FMD-free, such as Australia and Denmark. The potential risk associated with the loss of this status enlists an equally significant level of biosecurity and outbreak preparedness via specific mitigation strategies. Current technology allows for modelling of theoretical incursion scenarios; however, the parameters used are ever-changing and differ based on location. This study aims to compare the modelling outputs from at least five separate studies, from both Australia and Denmark respectively, to identify the most significant results and subsequently determine the recommendations most important to implement for national FMD outbreak mitigation. The comparative analysis suggests that the demographics, both within and between Australia and Denmark, can markedly affect the spread of FMD, but that each country's modelling of potential FMD outbreaks yielded three common areas for future recommendations: resource allocation and control; economic efficiency; and alternative interventions. Key points of difference, however, were Denmark's island geography and subsequent isolated populations of high-density production that led to a more regional approach of minimising island-island spread through varying vaccination regimes and depopulation/surveillance zone combinations. Australia's strategies of control centred more around enhanced detection and surveillance to prevent the incidence of significant outbreaks in the production animal industry. The most common factor for both was cost, specifically the reduction in time to export post-outbreak, due to each respective export industry, and the significant losses associated with even short periods of trade bans due to disease. The costs of surveillance and resources were similarly investigated in tandem with different interventions to further understand the components of an effective mitigation method for any outbreak of FMD.

The importation of fresh boar semen was qualitatively assessed for the biosecurity risk of introducing specific diseases into the Australian pig herd. The methodology used was as described by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and applied for official import risk assessments undertaken by Australia. It was found that the risk of introducing porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, Senecavirus A, porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus and African swine fever virus exceeded Australia's appropriate level of protection even when WOAH mitigations were applied. Findings of the assessment also support predictions of new diseases transmitted via semen emerging that may cause serious and/or irreversible harm to the Australian pig industry.