Australian Veterinary Journal最新文献

A 6-year-old, female neutered, Siamese cat was presented to the referral centre due to a mass causing obstruction of the left nostril that was previously diagnosed histologically as a nasal hamartoma. The mass was causing significant respiratory compromise to the cat resulting in open-mouth breathing at rest. A computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a 48% mediolateral narrowing of the left nostril compared with the right nostril in a mediolateral direction. Surgical excision of the mass re-established the left lateral alar groove and increased the nostril luminal width by 45% when compared with preoperative measurements. Two years after surgery, there was no recurrence of the mass and the cat had sustained significant improvement to their respiratory function and quality of life.

Meningoencephalitis is an important cause of neurological signs in dogs and may arise from infectious or noninfectious causes. In this retrospective study, dogs with steroid-responsive meningitis arteritis (SRMA), meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin (MUO), and eosinophilic meningoencephalomyelitis (EM), living on the east coast of Australia, were evaluated. Data accessed included signalment, clinical signs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) results. C-reactive protein concentration, complete blood count, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, serological tests, medications, duration of treatment, time to relapse and patient outcomes. Of 89 dogs in total, 45 were classified as SRMA, 24 as MUO and 20 as EM. Cervical pain occurred in all dogs with EM and SRMA, and in 50% of dogs with MUO. Dogs with SRMA were less likely to develop paresis than those with EM and less likely to be ataxic than dogs with MUO. Serum CRP concentrations were significantly higher in SRMA compared with MUO and EM (P < 0.01). Twelve dogs, all with eosinophilic pleocytosis, were diagnosed with CNS infections: angiostrongyliasis (n = 11) and cryptococcus (n = 1). A wide variety of treatment protocols were used, underpinned by immunosuppressive medications, with the duration of treatment not significantly different between groups. The most favourable outcomes for dogs with meningoencephalitides in this study were those with EM, which not only had the shortest treatment durations but also had the longest survival times.

In early 2025, a social media influencer sparked widespread outrage after posting a video online in which she picked up a young bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus) from the side of a road, separating it from another wombat, presumed to be its mother. This act ignited public and professional discussions regarding the welfare of wildlife, the responsibility of content creators and the need for stricter guidelines on human-wildlife interactions within and outside digital media. An ethical analysis of the incident was undertaken through the lens of four moral principles: nonmaleficence, beneficence, autonomy and justice. The analysis validated the concerns raised by the public regarding potential harms to the young animal, maternal distress and the risks associated with viewers of the video imitating the experience with other wild animals. Although the video footage caused much upset, it provided an opportunity to critically evaluate depictions of wildlife, including handling, and their potential impact on animal welfare. It underscores an acknowledgement that other, less sensationalised, depictions of wildlife could be created in circumstances that compromise animals and could have unintended adverse impacts beyond the posting of a single photo or video. Animal professionals must consider carefully the impact of their digital presence on audiences and ensure featured wild animals are not handled unnecessarily or used as props. Suggested guidelines for online imagery and other content have been developed for a university-based wildlife teaching hospital and other clinical settings in light of this analysis. Other organisations are encouraged to consider doing the same.

The eastern paralysis tick of Australia, Ixodes holocyclus, is by far the most important ectoparasite of dogs and cats in eastern Australia. In spite of the development of tick-antisera and the availability of highly effective tick-preventative medications, thousands of dogs and cats present to veterinary clinics and hospitals with signs of tick paralysis each year; about 10% of these dogs and 8% of these cats may die from tick paralysis or are euthanized due to severe signs of tick envenomation. One of the mainstays of optimising patient outcome of dogs and cats with signs of tick paralysis is the prompt removal of the tick. In the present paper, we studied 10,913 attachment-sites of I. holocyclus arising from 10,311 veterinary consultations of dogs and cats in eastern Australia. This is, to our knowledge, the largest study of attachment-site preference of I. holocyclus on dogs and cats. We found that whereas I. holocyclus is most often found on the head of dogs, on cats, these ticks are most often found on their necks. In addition, we report attachment-site preferences of adult and immature (larval and nymphal) I. holocyclus. We also highlight some unusual and inconspicuous attachment-sites of I. holocyclus, which may be informative to veterinarians and pet owners alike.

This critically appraised topic (CAT) explored the association between body weight and survival in dogs with canine parvovirus (CPV). A systematic literature search identified six peer-reviewed studies published between 1978 and 2024 that met predefined inclusion criteria. Four of the six studies demonstrated a significant association between lower body weight and increased mortality. While some studies undertook multivariable analysis to account for confounders, limitations including inconsistencies in study design, retrospective data collection, and limited control for variables such as age, breed, and body condition score (BCS) reduce the overall strength of the conclusions. Overall, there is moderate evidence to suggest that lower body weight may be a negative prognostic factor in CPV survival. Further prospective research with standardised methodology is essential to validate these findings and disentangle the impact of confounders such as age, breed, and BCS.

Kneipp CC, Marshall D, Westman ME et al. Brucella suis in feral pigs in Australia: what is the risk? Aust Vet J 2025;103:379–387.

In the Acknowledgements section, we would like to include a colleague's contribution and change the text from:

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Lachlan Marshall, Southern Queensland Landscapes, and Brenden Latimer for their assistance with sample collection; Jessica Bourke, Lyndall Stone, and Henry Clutterbuck, District Veterinarians with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, as well as the Hunter, Central West, and Central Tablelands Local Lands Services for their assistance with sample collection and testing. We would also like to thank Monica Suann, from the NSW State Veterinary Laboratory, APHL, for her assistance with sample testing and data management; and Brendan Cowled, AUSVET, and Troy Crittle, NSW Department of Primary Industries, for sharing feral pig distribution data.

to

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Lachlan Marshall, Southern Queensland Landscapes, and Brenden Latimer for their assistance with sample collection; Jessica Bourke, Lyndall Stone, and Henry Clutterbuck, District Veterinarians with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, as well as the Hunter, Central West, and Central Tablelands Local Lands Services for their assistance with sample collection and testing. We would also like to thank Jonathan Lee from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for collating and sharing the BSL dog data, and Monica Suann from the NSW State Veterinary Laboratory, APHL, for her assistance with sample testing and data management. We are also most grateful to Brendan Cowled, AUSVET, and Troy Crittle, NSW Department of Primary Industries, for sharing feral pig distribution data.

We sincerely apologise for this oversight and for any inconvenience this correction may cause.

Outbreaks of emergency animal diseases such as African swine fever (ASF) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) are typically managed through regulated control measures, including tracing, surveillance, movement restrictions, culling, disposal and decontamination. However, limited understanding and fragmented data on material flows – such as semen, live animals and meat products – within meat supply chains hinder policymakers' ability to assess the full impact of these measures and to consider these implications in their decision-making. This study aimed to map the material flow within the Australian pork supply chain and to identify the potential socio-economic implications of disease control interventions. Industry experts were engaged to assist in the drafting of a flow chart and to provide descriptions of activities at each segment of the supply chain. Results revealed a highly integrated and complex supply network. These structural and operational features, combined with regulatory movement controls, can lead to significant disruptions, including loss of livestock and breeding capacity, business income and employment, animal welfare risks, psychological stress, reputational damage from mass culling and reduced meat availability for consumers. The findings of this work emphasise the importance of decision-makers being well informed about the effects of supply chain disruptions and the socio-economic consequences of disease control decisions.