Australian Veterinary Journal最新文献

Skin neoplasia in dogs and cats is a common finding in practice and can include sebaceous gland tumours such as adenocarcinoma and adenoma. This report describes a 10-year-old Cocker Spaniel presenting with a sebaceous gland neoplasia in the caudal left lung lobe, with no evidence of a primary tumour. To the authors' knowledge, sebaceous gland neoplasia has never been reported as a primary tumour in the lungs of a dog.

A 5-year-old male neutered miniature dachshund presented with a 24-hour history of nonambulatory pelvic limb paraparesis. The dog was diagnosed with grade III myelopathy, Th3-L3 neurolocalisation. Computed tomography (CT) was consistent with intervertebral disc extrusion between the second and third lumbar vertebrae (L2/3) on the left side. Left-sided hemilaminectomy was performed to remove the compressive intervertebral disc material. Intervertebral disc fenestration was performed at L2/3, prophylactic intervertebral disc fenestration was also performed at L3/4. After surgery, persistent spinal hyperpathia and kyphosis was observed, with worsening of spinal hyperpathia 48 h postoperative. Repeat CT performed 4 days after index surgery revealed laterally extruded intervertebral disc material from the L3/4 fenestration site causing compression of the left L3 nerve root. A second surgery was performed and the extraforaminal extruded intervertebral disc material at L3/4 compressing the L3 nerve root was removed. Resolution of spinal hyperpathia and kyphosis was noted after the second surgery. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of prophylactic disc fenestration causing nerve root compression necessitating repeat surgery.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms are rare in dogs. Gastrinoma has been reported in dogs however not in the stomach. This case report describes the presentation, emergency treatment, diagnostics, pathology, histochemical staining and recovery of a 7-year-old male entire pure-bred Pit bull terrier who had a neuroendocrine tumour resected. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the mass to be a gastrinoma with application of the current WHO criteria for classification of neuroendocrine neoplasms confirming this to be an intermediate grade tumour (NET G2).

Global warming is expected to drive increases in daily temperatures and extreme heatwaves which are in turn expected to lead to increases in heat-related illness (HRI) morbidity and mortality in humans and animals, including dogs. The most severe form of HRI is heat stroke which is potentially fatal in dogs. The temperature range that increases the risk of mortality in dogs, and the impact of heatwaves, is not known. Twenty years of veterinary data from New South Wales (1997–2017) were analysed to explore potential associations between rates of mortality in dogs and both daily ambient maximum temperatures and extreme heat days. Extreme heat days were defined as any day that was over the 95th percentile (32°C) of daily maximum temperature in the study region across the study period. Results show that mortality increased as daily maximum temperature exceeded 25°C. There was a broadly linear increase of 0.6% (95% CI: 0.1% to 1%) in the risk of mortality for each 1°C increase in daily maximum temperature above 25°C. There was a 9.5% increased risk (95% CI: 4.3% to 15%) of mortality on extreme heat days compared with nonextreme heat days. Controlling for the effects of temperature, risk of mortality on public holidays increased 1.5 times (155%, 95% CI: 137% to 173%) compared with nonpublic holidays, and Sundays had nearly double the risk of mortality compared with all other days of the week. New Year's Day had the highest reported rate of mortality, followed by Christmas Day. This information should be used to inform veterinary public health policies in general and to inform key messaging about reducing the risk of death in dogs due to high ambient temperatures.

Since their arrival in the 1700s, horses have played a significant role in shaping the identity of rural and remote communities. However, Indigenous perspectives on the historical role of horses in communities have been largely underrepresented. In remote regions, where access to veterinary and medical services is limited, interactions between people and free-roaming horses present a potential risk for zoonotic disease transmission. This review identifies potential pathways for the transmission of equine zoonoses in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, aiming to inform participatory prevention programs. Despite an expansive review across 20 databases, only six studies discussed the risk factors and transmission pathways for equine zoonoses in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Across these six studies, five equine zoonoses were discussed, including diseases caused by Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Hendra virus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. These studies cover only a small portion of the equine zoonoses that can potentially impact public health. The review also discusses the role of emerging equine zoonoses, including those caused by Chlamydia psittaci and vector-borne viruses, such as Ross River virus, West Nile virus and Japanese encephalitis virus. Together, these studies emphasise the need for greater focus on One Health in remote Australian communities. Recommendations for participatory approaches to disease prevention and key areas for future research on zoonotic disease transmission in these regions are also provided.

Infection of livestock by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus (FMDV) has serious economic implications due to productivity losses and trade restrictions. In countries that are free from foot and mouth disease, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) provides two proof of freedom from disease status categories; namely, FMD-free without using vaccination or FMD-free with use of vaccination. Serological surveillance of livestock after an incursion forms one part of a country's emergency disease response plan as it is an important condition in attaining a WOAH declaration of freedom from FMDV. The development of a competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant antigen (FMDV 3B-maltose-binding protein fusion) and recombinant antibody (anti-FMDV 3B scFv-alkaline phosphatase fusion) reagents from two independently developed tests is described. The characteristics of the recombinant reagents and performance of the assay are presented and provide evidence of an improved, fully recombinant, competition ELISA suitable for sensitive and specific identification of antibodies to FMDV non-structural protein 3B in cattle sera, making it suitable for differentiating infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA).

Fasciola hepatica is a global threat to livestock production, human health, and food security. Infection causes significant reductions in milk production and quality, feed conversion efficiency, wool quality, and reproductive performance. In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, data on the distribution of F. hepatica are more than 50 years out of date and lack species-specific insights for cattle and sheep. Accurate, up-to-date distribution data are essential for livestock producers to implement targeted control programs, for veterinarians to provide timely and effective treatment recommendations, and for researchers to identify emerging trends, such as those influenced by climate change. This study addresses this knowledge gap by using diagnostic samples submitted to the Elizabeth MacArthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) between 2019 and 2023 to update the distribution of F. hepatica in cattle and sheep in NSW. Diagnostic records were extracted, cleaned, analysed, and geospatially mapped at the postcode level to reveal temporal and spatial trends by livestock species. Our findings suggest that F. hepatica hotspots in sheep are concentrated in the southeastern regions of NSW, whereas in cattle, hotspots extend along the coast. These results reinforce the existing dogma of F. hepatica distribution in NSW, providing evidence-based insights that are key to improved surveillance, refining precision parasite management, and mitigating the ongoing impacts of F. hepatica on animal health and production in NSW.

Methods of domestic pig destruction that require individual handling cause distress, carry a risk of ineffective or painful stunning or wounding, and pose physical and psychosocial safety risks to operators. Oral intoxication of pigs via feed offers an alternative approach that reduces these risks. An experiment was conducted to validate the oral administration of microencapsulated sodium nitrite (meSN) to group-housed domestic grower pigs and assess the suitability of meSN as a mass destruction method for application during an emergency animal disease (EAD) response. Twenty-four individually identified pigs were administered a pre-feeding regimen followed by delivery of 10% (w/w) meSN paste (Treatment 1) or 100% meSN as a top-dress on standard pig feed (Treatment 2). Pigs ingested both treatments and presented with no visual signs of distress and demonstrated post-feeding and exploratory behaviors consistent with those of group-housed pigs for 20–40 min after consumption of the toxic substrate. Intoxication presented as a visible reduction in movement/activity followed by recumbency, dullness, loss of responsiveness, and eventually death. All treated pigs died. The welfare compromise requiring intervention was not observed by the attending veterinarians. Our findings suggest that after meSN application, pigs may be safely moved for about 15 min when using paste or for about 30 min when using top-dress granules. After this time, pigs will start to lose posture and will have difficulty standing or walking. No clinically significant gross or histological post-mortem tissue changes were detected. Tissue and intestinal content residues indicated that the risk of secondary nitrite/nitrate poisoning to carcass scavengers is negligible. Critical contributors to successful lethal outcomes are considered to include: sodium nitrite stability and palatability offered by microencapsulation; successful transition to a placebo paste before application if a paste formulation is used; consumption of a lethal dose that accounts for wastage and uneven consumption by pigs sharing feed; and consumption being sufficiently rapid to overwhelm toxin metabolism pathways and cause death.