Veterinary Clinical Sciences - Research Publications
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ItemNo Preview AvailableNeospora caninum is not an important contributor to poor reproductive performance of primiparous ewes from southern Australia: evidence from a cross-sectional study(Springer, 2021-10-02)Neospora caninum has been implicated as a sporadic cause of abortion and perinatal deaths in sheep flocks globally. However, its significance as a reproductive pathogen for sheep in Australia remains unknown. The aims of this study were to (i) determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum in Australian breeding ewes and (ii) examine if natural exposure to N. caninum is associated with poor reproductive performance of primiparous ewes in southern Australia. Thirty flocks of primiparous ewes (aged 1–2 years old at lambing) from 28 farms in three states (Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria) were monitored between mating and lamb marking. Blood samples were also collected from multiparous mature ewes (aged 3 years or older) at each farm. Seroprevalence for anti-N. caninum IgG using indirect ELISA was determined for a subset of primiparous ewes that were predominantly determined to be pregnant and subsequently failed to rear a lamb (n = 1279) and randomly selected mature multiparous ewes with unknown reproductive status (n = 558). Neopsora caninum apparent seroprevalence was 0.16% (95% confidence interval 0.03%, 0.5%) in primiparous ewes, with seropositivity identified in two ewes from farms located in South Australia and Victoria. There was no evidence of seropositivity in mature ewes with apparent seroprevalence 0% (0%, 0.45%). These findings suggest that N. caninum infection was not widespread in primiparous ewes or mature multiparous ewes on these farms, and exposure to N. caninum infection was unlikely to explain abortion and perinatal mortalities observed for primiparous ewes.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableThe role of animal welfare in improving the future of farming(CSIRO Publishing, 2022)Context: Animal production plays a critical role in many global challenges around sustainability, including climate change and resilience, One Health and food security. With this role comes pressures on livestock welfare. Aims: This paper demonstrates key contributions animal welfare makes to global sustainability challenges. Methods: This paper highlights ‘win–win’ improvements for both animal welfare and other aspects of sustainability by using the following four case studies: tail docking Australian sheep, agroforestry systems in Ethiopia, the Australian dairy-beef industry, and strategic feeding of goats in Pakistan. Key results: These case studies show how animal welfare can be improved alongside livelihoods. However, even in these win–win situations, the adoption of improved practices is not guaranteed. Conclusions: Long-term, sustained change in animal welfare can simultaneously make in roads to other challenges around sustainability. To do this, we must have a broader understanding of the system in which the animals are raised, so that barriers to change can be identified. Implications: Lessons from these case studies can be applied to other production contexts and challenges, highlighting the universal value of understanding and addressing animal welfare.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableCircus and zoo animal welfare in Sweden: an epidemiological analysis of data from regulatory inspections by the official competent authorities(UNIV FEDERATION ANIMAL WELFARE, 2017-11)Abstract Good animal welfare is crucial for the success of circuses and zoos. Epidemiological studies of animal welfare that investigate associations between animal-based measures (ABMs) and resource- and management-based measures are needed. However, due to the relatively low numbers of animals within each species kept at individual facilities, such investigations can be difficult to carry out. In this paper, we report the analysis of a multi-facility epidemiological study using data from all regulatory inspections of circus and zoo animals in Sweden for 2010 to 2014. Information from 42 inspections of 38 circuses, and 318 inspections of 179 zoos was analysed. For ABMs assessed during routine inspections of circuses (n = 14) and zoos (n = 61), 9.1 and 14.3% did not comply with requirements for general care of hooves/claws and coat, 10.0 and 8.6% for body condition, and 0 and 1.7% for animal cleanliness, respectively. In addition, the zoo checklist assessed whether animals were kept in appropriate groups, finding non-compliance in 17.0% of inspections. The most frequent non-compliant resource- and management-based measures at routine inspections of circuses were for space (41.7%) and exercise requirements (38.5%). For zoos, 29.4% did not comply with space followed by 28.8% for enrichment requirements. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, zoos that had inadequate or unsafe housing and space design, inadequate bedding, or failed to meet nutritional requirements, were more likely to be non-compliant with at least one ABM. The checklists should be improved to better assess welfare status by including more ABMs; benchmarking of risks and trends over time is also recommended.
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ItemSevere pericardial effusion in a cat with peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia and incarcerated hepatic sarcoma.(SAGE Publications, 2022)CASE SUMMARY: A 4-year-old female neutered domestic longhair cat was presented at a referral hospital for dyspnoea with a history of suspected pleural effusion. Thoracic ultrasonography demonstrated a large-volume pericardial effusion causing cardiac tamponade and a cystic mass within the pericardium. CT revealed a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) caused by a defect of the ventral diaphragm. Herniated contents consisted of the right lateral and caudate liver lobes, and an associated cystic hepatic mass. Ventral midline coeliotomy was performed for herniorrhaphy and partial pericardiectomy, together with lobectomy of the incarcerated liver mass. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry diagnosed a poorly differentiated hepatic sarcoma with inflammation and remodelling in the adjacent incarcerated liver parenchyma. The patient developed metastatic sarcoma 2 months after surgery and was euthanased as a result. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Pericardial effusion causing cardiac tamponade is a previously unreported sequelae to PPDH in cats. Reports on the presence of malignancy in incarcerated liver are scarce and the location is not typical for a sarcoma in this species.
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ItemSeropositivity to Campylobacter and association with abortion and lamb mortality in maiden ewes from Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria(WILEY, 2022-08)This case-control study investigated associations between Campylobacter fetus or Campylobacter jejuni titre and reproductive outcomes in 22 flocks of Merino and non-Merino maiden ewes aged 1-2 years old. Campylobacter titres were also determined for multiparous ewes aged 3 years or older on the same farms. C. fetus 'positivity' (titre ≥1:80) was detected for 12% (57/462; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 9.6 to 15.6) of maiden ewes and 31% (65/210; 95% CI 25.0 to 37.4) of mature ewes. The odds for failing to rear a lamb in C. fetus-'exposed' maiden ewes (titre ≥1:10) was 2.01 times that of seronegative ewes (95% CI 1.09 to 3.77; P = 0.027), but there was no association between C. fetus-'positivity' (titre ≥1:80) and failure to rise (OR 1.69; 95% CI 0.77 to 3.76; P = 0.191). C. fetus abortions were confirmed with microbial culture in one maiden ewe flock. In this flock, C. fetus titres fluctuated and often waned by lamb marking, highlighting the value of necropsies during abortion investigations. C. jejuni-'positivity' (titre ≥1:80) was detected for 44% (204/462; 95% CI 39.7 to 48.7) maiden ewes, but odds of failing to rear were decreased for C. jejuni-'positive' ewes (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.83; P = 0.007). The association between Campylobacter serology and the reproductive outcome was inconsistent in these flocks. Serology should be considered in the context of other risk factors and used in conjunction with other strategies to investigate the impact of Campylobacter exposure on ewe reproductive performance such as monitoring for abortions and lamb necropsies to determine aetiological diagnosis, and vaccination trials.
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ItemLean body weight-adjusted intravenous iodinated contrast dose for abdominal CT in dogs reduces interpatient enhancement variability while providing diagnostic quality organ enhancement(WILEY, 2022-11)Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is increasingly used to screen for abdominal pathology in dogs, and the contrast dose used is commonly calculated as a linear function of total body weight (TBW). Body fat is not metabolically active and contributes little to dispersing or diluting contrast medium (CM) in the blood. This prospective, analytic, cross-section design pilot study aimed to establish the feasibility of intravenous CM dosed according to lean body weight (LBW) for abdominal CECT in dogs compared to TBW. We hypothesized that when dosing intravenous CM according to LBW, studies will remain at diagnostic quality, there will be a reduced interindividual contrast enhancement (CE) variability, and there will be less change to heart rate and blood pressure in dogs compared to when administering CM calculated on TBW. Twelve dogs had two CECT studies with contrast doses according to TBW and LBW at least 8 weeks apart. Interindividual organ and vessel CE variability, diagnostic quality of the studies, and changes in physiological status were compared between protocols. The LBW-based protocol provided less variability in the CE of most organs and vessels (except the aorta). When dosed according to LBW, liver enhancement was positively associated with grams of iodine per kg TBW during the portal venous phase (P = 0.046). There was no significant difference in physiological parameters after CM administration between dosing protocols. Our conclusion is that a CM dose based on LBW for abdominal CECT lowers interindividual CE variability and is effective at maintaining studies of diagnostic quality.
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ItemBrain magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology findings in a dog with global brain ischaemia following cardiopulmonary arrest(WILEY, 2022-09)BACKGROUND: Global brain ischaemia following cardiopulmonary arrest is uncommonly reported in veterinary medicine yet neurologic injury after arrest is a known morbidity. CASE REPORT: An 18-week-old male entire Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-Poodle was referred following 3 days of neurologic abnormalities after cardiopulmonary arrest. After resuscitation, the animal had decerebrate rigidity, a stuporous mentation and intermittent episodes of vocalisation and apnoea. A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was undertaken 4 days after cardiopulmonary arrest, with standard sequences (T1-weighted, T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) as well as diffusion-weighted imaging to better discern ischaemic injury and cytotoxic oedema for prognostic reasons. MRI findings were consistent with global brain ischaemia affecting the hippocampus, cerebellum and substantia nigra, the latter two not previously identified in canine cases of global brain ischaemia. The patient was euthanased on day eight post-cardiopulmonary arrest due to a lack of neurological improvement and developing sepsis as a complication. Ante-mortem identification of affected areas of the brain was confirmed on histological examination, with evidence of ischaemic injury seen in the cerebrum, hippocampus, cerebellum, basal nuclei and thalamus. CONCLUSION: This report describes ante-mortem MRI and postmortem findings in a dog with global brain ischaemia following cardiopulmonary arrest. A multimodal approach to neuroprognostication in patients recovering from cardiopulmonary arrest is recommended.
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ItemPrevalence of failure of passive immunity transfer in Australian non-replacement dairy calves(WILEY, 2022-07)Failure of passive immunity transfer (FPIT) increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in dairy calves. The prevalence of FPIT in dairy calves has generally been reported to be high, with FPIT estimated to occur in 38%-42% of Australian dairy calves. However, the focus of previous studies has been on replacement heifer calves. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of FPIT in Victorian bobby calves (non-replacement dairy calves). We collected blood samples from 3608 bobby calves at three abattoirs at exsanguination, and measured serum total protein as an indicator of passive transfer. We found that 36% of bobby calves showed evidence of FPIT (serum total protein ≤52 g/L), and 50% of calves had poor or fair passive transfer (<58 g/L). When a subset of calves (from farms with more than five calves in the dataset) was analysed using a linear mixed model, Jersey calves and crossbred/other calves had an estimated 5.3 g/L and 5.1 g/L higher serum total protein concentration, respectively, than Holstein-Friesian calves (P < 0.001). Our results suggest that the prevalence of FPIT in bobby calves at abattoirs is similar to that reported in dairy heifer calves sampled on farms. A high prevalence of FPIT has implications for bobby calf morbidity and mortality, as well as calf viability and profitability for dairy-beef production.
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ItemAre children and dogs best friends? A scoping review to explore the positive and negative effects of child-dog interactions(PEERJ INC, 2022-12-19)Personal wellbeing is greatly influenced by our childhood and adolescence, and the relationships formed during those phases of our development. The human-dog bond represents a significant relationship that started thousands of years ago. There is a higher prevalence of dog ownership around the world, especially in households including children. This has resulted in a growing number of researchers studying our interactions with dogs and an expanding evidence base from the exploration of child-dog interactions. We review the potential effects of child-dog interactions on the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of both species. A search of the SCOPUS database identified documents published between January 1980 and April 2022. Filtering for key inclusion criteria, duplicate removals, and inspecting the references of these documents for additional sources, we reviewed a total of 393 documents, 88% of which were scientific articles. We were able to define the numerous ways in which children and dogs interact, be it neutral (e.g., sharing a common area), positive (e.g., petting), or negative (e.g., biting). Then, we found evidence for an association between childhood interaction with dogs and an array of benefits such as increased physical activities, a reduction of stress, and the development of empathy. Nonetheless, several detrimental outcomes have also been identified for both humans and dogs. Children are the most at-risk population regarding dog bites and dog-borne zoonoses, which may lead to injuries/illness, a subsequent fear of dogs, or even death. Moreover, pet bereavement is generally inevitable when living with a canine companion and should not be trivialized. With a canine focus, children sometimes take part in caretaking behaviors toward them, such as feeding or going for walks. These represent opportunities for dogs to relieve themselves outside, but also to exercise and socialize. By contrast, a lack of physical activity can lead to the onset of obesity in both dogs and children. Dogs may present greater levels of stress when in the presence of children. Finally, the welfare of assistance, therapy, and free-roaming dogs who may interact with children remains underexplored. Overall, it appears that the benefits of child-dog interactions outweigh the risks for children but not for dogs; determination of the effects on both species, positive as well as negative, still requires further development. We call for longitudinal studies and cross-cultural research in the future to better understand the impact of child-dog interactions. Our review is important for people in and outside of the scientific community, to pediatricians, veterinarians, and current or future dog owners seeking to extend their knowledge, and to inform future research of scientists studying dogs and human-animal interactions.
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ItemCharacterising a unique recreational hunting method: hound hunting of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) in Victoria, Australia(CSIRO Publishing, 2022)Context: Scent-trailing dogs (‘hounds’) are used to hunt introduced sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) in south-eastern Australia, but little is known about this recreational hunting technique. Aim: The aim of this study was to characterise hound hunting of sambar deer in Victoria, Australia. Our study had three objectives as follows: (1) to report the hunting success of the technique; (2) to estimate pursuit times and distances; and (3) to investigate the landscape features associated with kill sites. Methods: Data were collected from four hound-hunting crews during 2020–2021. GPS data from collars fitted to hounds were used to quantify hunt duration (min) and hunt distance (m). Logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of deer sex and hound pack size on the probability of hunting success. We used a Bayesian multinomial regression resource selection function (RSF) to identify the characteristics of sites where deer were killed (elevation, aspect, and distances to water and roads). Key results: The four hunting teams ranged in size from 2 to 10 people and from one to eight hounds. Of 136 hunts, most (88%) harvested a deer, with pursued deer escaping on the other 12% of occasions. Pursuit times and distances were highly variable, with pursuit time >60 min for 46% of hunts and pursuit distance >5 km for 30% of hunts. The probability of killing a pursued male and female deer were similar, and there was not a positive relationship between pack size and hunt success. The RSF showed that both male and female deer were more likely to be killed on steeper slopes and closer to roads. Conclusions: Successful hound hunting of sambar deer involves pursuits of considerable duration and requires a network of roads, with geographical features associated with deer kills sites being related to hunter access. Implications: Hound hunting may be a useful wildlife management tool for land managers, but further studies are needed to assess its efficacy for achieving management goals.