VetScrip November 2020

nzva.org.nz

SIMON CLARK MASSEY UPDATE NEWS AND VIEWS A round trip in Solving a veterinary practice shoulder mystery

GLOBAL WORMING A closer look at Toxocara

T H E O F F I C I A L M AG A Z I N E O F T H E N E W Z E A L A N D V E T E R I N A RY A S S O C I AT I O N • N OV E M B E R 2 02 0

Spotlight on

THE FARM DOG

VetScript November 2020 – i

REGISTRATIONS OPEN 1 MARCH 2021

REGISTRATIONS OPEN 2 AUGUST 2021

NZVA and NZVNA conference

NZVA and NZVNA conference

23–25 June 2021

November 2021

Air Force Museum, Wigram, Christchurch

Venue to be confirmed

NEWS AND VIEWS

EDITORIAL 2 Mirjam Guesgen, VetScript Editor NEWS AND VIEWS 4 Grant McCullough, NZVA President 5 Helen Beattie, NZVA CVO 6 News 10 Get puzzling with a crossword 11 Global lab – check out what’s happening in veterinary schools around the world 12 Massey research update – solving a shoulder mystery 14 Animal welfare and ethics update 16 NZVJ preview

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17 Seton Butler, VCNZ PROFILE 18 Follow Simon Clark’s round trip in veterinary practice OUT THERE VETTING

ONE HEALTH

IN THE LAB

36 Global worming

48 Where did the white cells go?

52 Broad-ranging bacteria

CASE STUDY 42 Equine enteric coronavirus in a Canterbury pony

22 A truly mixed practice IN THE WORKPLACE COVER STORY

56 Take a look at the exciting opportunities for professional development

46 The tangled web of leave 63 CLASSIFIEDS

30 Spotlight on the farm dog

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VETLEARN

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36 VetScript November 2020 – 1

NEWS AND VIEWS

www.nzva.org.nz

VetScript NOVEMBER 2020 • VOL 33 • NO 10 ISSN 1170-280X COVER IMAGE Working dogs (IMAGE: SUPPLIED )

VetScript is published monthly (except January) by the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) as a service to its members.

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Bette Flagler M: 021 956 122 E: bette.flagler@vets.org.nz EDITOR Mirjam Guesgen M: 022 099 7734 E: vetscript@vets.org.nz ADVERTISING MANAGER Tony Leggett T: 06 280 3162 M: 027 4746 093 E: tony.leggett@nzfarmlife.co.nz CLASSIFIEDS ADMINISTRATOR E: classifieds@vets.org.nz ART DIRECTOR Amanda Trayes NZVA OFFICE Level 2, 44 Victoria Street Wellington Central PO Box 11212, Manners Street Wellington 6142, New Zealand T: 04 471 0484 F: 04 471 0494 E: nzva@vets.org.nz www.nzva.org.nz NZVA BOARD Independent Chair: Flora Gilkison President: Grant McCullough Members: Peter Blaikie, Mark Bryan, Kate Hill, Cath Watson DISCLAIMER VetScript is published by the New Zealand Veterinary Association Incorporated (NZVA). The views expressed in the articles and letters do not necessarily represent those of the NZVA or the editor and neither the NZVA nor the editor endorses any products or services advertised. The NZVA is not the source of the information reproduced in this publication and has not independently verified the truth of the information. It does not accept legal responsibility for the truth or accuracy of the information contained herein. Neither the NZVA nor the editor accepts any liability whatsoever for the contents of this publication or for any consequences that may result from the use of any information contained herein or advice given herein. This provision is intended to exclude the NZVA, the editor and its staff from all liability whatsoever, including liability for negligence in the publication or reproduction of the material set out herein. The entire content of VetScript is copyrighted by the NZVA. VetScript is produced for NZVA members and approved subscribers only. No material from this publication may be reproduced in any form, or quoted from either directly or indirectly in other media, without the permission of the editor.

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Paws for thought VetScript Editor Mirjam Guesgen is on a frustrating – and occasionally sad – search for a family dog. It seems change is needed.

MY LONG-STANDING DESIRE to make a dog a member of my family has been slowly turning into a reality since I decided to settle in New Zealand for the foreseeable future. So I browse.

A visit to the ‘Dogs to adopt’ section of Trade Me is heartbreaking. Some of the ads are for dogs whose owners “can’t take care of them anymore” and are looking for “new fur-ever homes” for their companions. Some cite health issues for elderly carers. In others it’s clear the owners simply got more than they bargained for.

The overwhelming majority of dogs for adoption are from shelters and dog adoption agencies, and it’s unclear where they originally came from.

Sometimes I’ll see a string of puppies listed – an unplanned and unwanted litter. I wonder how many of these litters don’t make it to Trade Me’s pages.

It’s a different story in the ‘Dogs for sale’ section. New listings go up almost daily for puppies priced in the thousands. I can go back a few days later and scroll through several pages of new ads. Many of the listings, only a few days old, say ‘SORRY, ALL PUPPIES SOLD’. The listing photographs differ widely. I’ve seen puppies wearing coloured bows around their necks, gracefully posed in wicker baskets or presented in blurry images of seven or eight, huddled together in a wire cage.

The supply seems unending and I question whether these sales are attempts to meet demand or something more financially minded.

I take the decision to bring a dog into our family really seriously but it’s not an easy task. Despite a PhD in animal welfare science, being a journalist who’s reported on breed health issues and someone who’s surrounded by expertise through editing this magazine, I struggle. Asking any questions of some breeders gets my email dumped into the ‘too hard’ basket. Conversely, when contacting some registered breeders, I’m met with an email containing a long list of requirements, such as making my dog available to breed at any time. What does that mean for the average pet owner, who doesn’t have the same resources?

A theme that’s come through in many VetScript stories is the role of the veterinarian as an animal welfare expert and source of guidance. Being that guide is feasible once someone comes on board as a client. The challenge is meeting future pet parents and building a relationship with them before they become an owner. Perhaps this could be done through workshops, advertising campaigns, or an online tool that helps people select the right pup or pet for them while also making them aware of the responsibilities. A great start is the NZVA’s webpage www.nzva.org.nz/public/pets.

I hope that better-informed future owners would translate to better breeding practices, if that means demand for puppies bred in poor conditions decreases.

I see veterinarians and other animal welfare advocates trying to spread messages of responsibility. I just hope the right people are listening.

Mirjam Guesgen, Editor, VetScript

NEWS AND VIEWS

Letter A RAW ISSUE On behalf of the NZVA’s Complementary Veterinary Medicine (CVM) branch, thanks for your great work producing VetScript; we know that it’s not an easy job.

The CVM branch wanted to provide some additional information regarding the Editor’s statement about raw food in September’s editorial. We support healthy nutrition as part of veterinary care to facilitate the health and wellbeing of patients. We consider a well-balanced raw food diet, where risks are mitigated, to have value as a therapeutic tool. We advocate that feeding raw food is not a pot of meat from the supermarket but an intelligent, well-researched process with many benefits when done correctly.

Unfortunately there are people who do a poor job of feeding their pets but a pathology like rickets would be more attributable to a poorly-balanced diet than a raw food one.

It is important to know that there are many veterinarians globally who use wellbalanced raw food diets to improve the health and wellbeing of their patients. This is not a fad; it is evidence-based. Please see the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society’s position statement at https://rfvs. info/rfvs-position-statement-2020, including the list of references.

As you’ve stated “client discussions on nutrition need to be open and non-judgemental”; it’s imperative that we encourage this attitude within our veterinary community to maintain our credibility. We are fortunate to have a growing number of open minded

veterinarians in New Zealand who are well versed in this type of approach. But it isn’t yet widespread.

We would welcome the opportunity to contribute to VetScript and educate other veterinarians about the benefits of feeding a well-balanced raw food diet. Those benefits are not just for our patients but also for improving client relationships and veterinarian job satisfaction as well as the positive impacts on our environment.

Liza Schneider, CVM branch President Editor’s response: Thanks Liza for your letter. I appreciate you providing that resource for readers. As you point out, VetScript should be a place for sharing well-thought-out, evidence-based thinking. I hope we can all (myself included!) learn something from the articles that are published every month.

“They’ve been insuring New Zealand families like mine for nearly 100 years.”

MAS is 100% New Zealand owned and we’ve been serving our Members, like Katherine, for nearly 100 years now. Not only have we established a foundation to fund health initiatives, we have been awarded Consumer NZ People’s Choice across four categories* for three years running.

Keep good company with MAS mas.co.nz Katherine Reinhold (and Rosa) Lawyer and MAS Member

0800 800 627 * House, contents, car and life insurance

VetScript November 2020 – 3

NEWS AND VIEWS

Addressing the after-hours issue NZVA President Grant McCullough has some thoughts on how we can all do our bit to ease the pain associated with after-hours services.

VCNZ’S CODE OF Professional Conduct for Veterinarians legally requires veterinarians to provide after-hours services so that animals don’t suffer unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress. Those services must be sufficiently resourced.

When I was a young practising veterinarian, we were expected to accept the role of providing these services and just get on with the job. But it took its toll on people more than we cared to admit. These days we see people leaving the profession because after-hours services are affecting their work-life balance.

Dedicated small animal after-hours clinics can help ease the burden for other small animal practices, but there are no stand-alone after-hours clinics for large animals. This means large animal practices must provide those services either on their own or by cooperating on a roster system with neighbouring practices. Given this, it may be worth considering setting up dedicated large animal after-hours practices – like small animal ones in cities.

In my opinion we also need to see more practices sharing the workload of after-hours services. I encourage all veterinarians to act collegially, support each other and cooperate.

Concern for safety is another issue. A veterinarian providing after-hours services usually does so on their own and call-outs are often late at night or early in the morning. Should they be accompanied by a veterinary nurse or a veterinary technician? At the very least, others in the practice should know when they’re on call-out and where they’ll be working.

It can also be difficult for on-call veterinarians to work with species they don’t see day to day and with whom they have little expertise, with no support from colleagues who have more specialist knowledge.

In recognition of these challenges, practices should consider compensating their staff for after-hours

4 – VetScript November 2020

services or providing them with incentives to be on call. It would mean increasing the fees for clients, but this could incentivise them to consider carefully whether their problems really are emergencies.

Clients often have unrealistic expectations of after-hours services, and we’ve allowed them to persist out of fear of push-back – such as through complaints to VCNZ or criticisms on social media.

This fear is generally unfounded, as VCNZ has a realistic attitude to after-hours services and the difficulties veterinarians face, including travel times to call-outs. We also cannot buy into fears around social media, as commentary there can be overblown or based on knee-jerk reactions. Instead we should try to foster excellent, communicative relationships with our clients that will weather the storms of any issues that may arise.

Another possible solution is to set up an afterhours call centre, staffed by veterinary nurses who triage calls before contacting veterinarians – a set-up similar to that for human healthcare through Healthline. Is there a role for the NZVA in helping to build a national service like this – or for veterinary technicians to respond to more straightforward emergencies, operating under veterinary operating instructions to do things such as administer epidurals?

There are likely no quick fixes to the challenges of after-hours, but work is already underway to progress some of these ideas. However, real change will only be possible if all those in the profession act collegially and clinic leaders lead the charge. My hope is that we see more people working together to improve the veterinary after-hours situation and for it to no longer be a reason for veterinarians leaving the profession.

Grant McCullough, NZVA President grant.mccullough@vets.org.nz

NEWS AND VIEWS

Welfare of the animal and human kind NZVA CVO Helen Beattie discusses progress on key priority areas for the NZVA, the MAG and the veterinary profession.

AS I’VE SAID before in previous columns, advocating on behalf of the membership is one of the big roles of the NZVA veterinary team. This month, I want to highlight some of that work.

ANIMAL WELFARE AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE PROFESSION With the continued increase in public awareness of animal welfare, veterinarians are being viewed more and more as animal welfare experts, not just ‘animal doctors’. Supporting this, the NZVA has identified as critical the need to ensure that veterinary professionals understand the science of animal welfare and how welfare can be assessed using the 5 Domains Model (for more detail, see page 28 of the August issue of VetScript). Through being up to date on animal welfare science we can give credible, evidence-based advice and be confident advocates for animals. This then further instils public confidence that veterinarians have the best interests of their animals at heart.

A tragic case in point is the recent capsize of a ship containing live cattle for export, in which both animals and humans lost their lives. The NZVA’s position – which was developed through member consultation on our policy and the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI’s) consultation document – is that we oppose exports of live animals unless there are acceptable standards of welfare for the duration of their lives. This means that not only should their health be monitored at all times but, as sentient beings, so too should their positive and negative affective (mental) states.

As a result of the tragedy we’ve asked the Government to undertake an independent assessment of animal welfare throughout the live export process – from dock to dock. We need to know what’s happening at all stages to understand whether and how welfare is compromised.

We’ve also been speaking out and supporting veterinarians against allegations that we don’t notify enough animal welfare cases to MPI. We’ve laid out the rationale for our expectations of veterinarians, which you can see in the flow chart for suspected animal welfare issues on page 10 of VCNZ’s

Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinarians. Being on farm regularly is the first, and very important, part of the process.

If a veterinarian thinks it’s necessary to notify MPI as soon as they arrive on farm, it’s likely that there hasn’t been a robust veterinarian-client relationship in place for some time.

Now that we’re in November, fireworks are back in our consciousness for their potential to cause physical harm and trigger fear and anxiety in some animals. Despite there being a designated sales period for fireworks, there are still no restrictions on when they can be used – and the unpredictability of these events presents an ongoing threat of psychological or physical harm to animals and impairs owners’ ability to manage the situations. The NZVA is recommending the development of legislation that prevents sales of fireworks to the general public, requires local communities to be notified of any public events involving fireworks, and bans displays of fireworks near sensitive wildlife areas.

BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY AND THE WELLBEING OF MEMBERS The MAG has also highlighted as a key issue the current shortage of veterinarians in New Zealand. The short-term repercussions for veterinarians include increased workloads, longer work hours, detrimental effects on physical and mental health, and burnout. For the country as a whole the economic impacts could be significant, and a lack of support for farmers and their animals could compromise animal welfare, food safety and biosecurity.

This shortage of veterinarians is a long-standing issue, but it’s been exacerbated by border restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is now a limited exemption for veterinarians to enter New Zealand for a restricted period of time.

The NZVA has been working hard to help elevate all veterinarians to critical worker status and to streamline processes to allow more veterinarians into the country.

Helen Beattie, NZVA CVO helen.beattie@vets.org.nz

VetScript November 2020 – 5

NEWS AND VIEWS

GIVEAWAY

WIN A COPY OF Wild Horses of the World!

WE HAVE A copy of the book Wild Horses of the World to give away. The book is a stunning pictorial and written record of author Kelly Wilson’s experiences with the world’s wildest herds from Australia, the US and beyond.

All you have to do is send us a poem about an animal or some aspect of veterinary practice. Everything from haikus to sonnets is welcome! Please send all entries to vetscript@vets.org.nz by 23 November. The winner will be drawn from the entries. We’ll publish the winning poem, along with some of our favourites, in the February issue of VetScript. n

PROBA-BEE-LITY BEES USE THE probability of reward to improve their foraging success, according to a study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B – Biological Sciences.

The research tested bees using a slot-machine-style experiment, in which they were presented with different-coloured dispensers that delivered either rewards (nectar) or punishments (bitter drinks) on different schedules. Dispensers in some colours might deliver rewards two out of every three times, while those in other colours might dispense rewards only a third of the time.

Bees learned to identify the dispensers that were more likely to deliver the sweet or bitter drinks and used this information to guide their foraging activities. That is, a bee’s likelihood of choosing a colour matched their history of reinforcement with each colour.

The authors of the paper state that this ability might explain how bees harvest nectar from different flowers so successfully, with each offering a unique amount of nectar. n REFERENCE: MaBouDi H, Marshall JAR, Barron AB. Honeybees solve a multi-comparison ranking task by probability matching. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 287, 20201525, 2020

DRENCH RESISTANCE GROWING DRAWING ON DATA collected from sheep farms throughout New Zealand in the past 15 years, animal parasite diagnostic company Techion has concluded that the incidence of resistance to triple-combination drenches could increase to 40% of farms if practices don’t change.

Results from the company’s DrenchSmart tests (faecal egg count reduction tests) showed a substantial increase in the incidence of drench resistance between 2005 and July 2020. According to the data, double-com bination drenches are failing on 20–43% of New Zealand farms and triple-combination drenches on 15% of farms. In comparison, “resistance to combination drenches was low to non-existent” in 2005.

A summary of the data can be found at www.techion.com/media/1441/ drenchsmart-resistance.pdf. n

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3D SURGICAL MODELS ON THEIR WAY A US-BASED COMPANY that specialises in three-dimensional printing is planning to offer accurate anatomical models of animal physiological structures for veterinary students and practising veterinarians.

M3Dimensions (pronounced meddimensions) says the models will be useful both for teaching purposes and as guides for surgeons undertaking complicated surgery. They will be detailed to 100 microns, and are planned for launch in 2021.

M3Dimensions’ CEO Sean Bellefeuille, formerly a biomedical engineer and now a first-year student at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, set up the company after being approached for help by a local emergency veterinary hospital.

The veterinary hospital had a difficult orthopaedic case – a patient with a rare femoral deformity that needed surgical intervention – and the surgeon was looking for a three-dimensional printed model of the femur to examine. Sean and his colleagues printed the model using a CT scan provided by the veterinarians, and after being studied by the surgeon it was used for reference when making cuts during surgery.

That case also inspired Sean to pursue a career in veterinary medicine alongside his startup venture. n

NEWS AND VIEWS

ECO INITIATIVE

WASTE NOT VETCARE TAURANGA’S BETHLEHEM practice and Holistic Vets have been participating in the Tauranga City Council’s Resource Wise Business Programme, which aims to create awareness of waste and inspire businesses to step up and reduce theirs.

The programme requires a commitment of at least four years.

A consultant is provided to help businesses both minimise and consider how they divert waste.

Where similar veterinary products have similar efficacy rates, the practices choose those that have the least impact on the environment, for example because they’re reusable, are recyclable, use less packaging or have lower carbon footprints.

Other ways the two practices are reducing waste include: » diverting food scraps and fur from grooms to compost or worm farms » using compostable wipes instead of swabs for initial surgical scrubs and other procedures » using compostable cat litter » sending used intravenous fluid bags to Baxter for recycling » encouraging suppliers to reuse polystyrene chilly bins and, ideally, change to more environmentally friendly options » recycling cardboard boxes and using packaging material from orders as cage linings for messy patients.

Having a motivated team who are mindful about waste is an important first step, says Holistic Vets’ Director Liza Schneider.

“It’s amazing what can be achieved when some thought is given to waste and simple things are put into action, like bringing lunch in reusable containers,” she says. Choosing suppliers that are like-minded helps too.

VetCare Bethlehem’s Director, Nick Sygrove, says his staff were on board right from the start. “There seems to be so much more awareness of waste and our impacts locally and internationally.

When we heard from Holistic Vets about the positive impacts of the programme, we wanted to join and play our part too.”

VetCare Bethlehem has recently started the process of accreditation for the Resource Wise Business Programme and is on its way to achieving reductions. Holistic Vets has been part of the programme since 2018 and was the first business to be awarded Gold status, reflecting its accomplishment of diverting 70% of its waste from landfill. Tauranga City Council has commended these clinics on their positive impacts on the environment and their dedication to reducing waste. Clients of both clinics are also impressed. n

IMAGERY: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM, SUPPLIED

SHOWCASE YOUR ORGANISATION AT THE MASSEY CAREER EXPO! Massey University is once again offering the Veterinary Career Expo to final-year BVSc students in December.

THE CAREER EXPO will provide an opportunity for veterinary practices and organisations to promote their graduate support programmes and recruitment opportunities with the final-year veterinary students as well as an opportunity to simply showcase their organisation.

Each exhibitor will be allocated a table to give the feel of trade stands at a veterinary conference. Displays may be set up using banners, audio-visual displays, promotional pamphlets or giveaways. Massey University will provide tables and chairs but businesses will need to bring along any other materials they wish to use.

Last year exhibitors came from all over New Zealand, Australia and the US. Exhibitors commented on how engaged the students were and how the expo provided good exposure for their business.

This career expo will be part of the career-themed day of the veterinary professionalism training week, where students will also take part in simulated job interviews.

The event will be held at the Massey University Manawatū campus on Wednesday 2 December from 1:45pm to 5:00pm.

If you are interested in participating in the Veterinary Career Expo please contact Stuart Gordon at s.j.g.gordon@massey.ac.nz or 027 480 4040. n

www.facebook.com/nzvavets

To report suspected exotic land, freshwater and marine pests, or exotic diseases in plants or animals, call:

0800 80 99 66

VetScript November 2020 – 7

NEWS AND VIEWS

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS THIS AUGUST SAW the conclusion of the inaugural Royal Canin Young Vet Entrepreneur 2020 competition, run by the Student Veterinary Business Society at Massey University. The participating teams presented their business concepts – the result of four months’ work – at a special event on 26 August, with Team Halo Vets winning the $500 prize for their mobile practice concept with individualised geriatric care.

The competition aimed to introduce the participating veterinary students to the ins and outs of business and the financial preparations required to set up a veterinary practice. According to event organisers the event was a “resounding success”, with more than 85 people attending in person and a further 230 viewing it online.

Each of the seven competing teams was required to develop a unique veterinary business idea under the guidance of their team mentor. They presented their concepts to a panel of judges ranging from practice managers to financial and business experts, in the hope of securing up to $70,000 for their businesses (not in real money).

Team Halo Vets’ winning concept focused on end-of-life care for pets.

It responded to the growing niche business of pet hospice care (similar to that of human hospice care), through providing clients with the option of having their beloved pets die peacefully at home.

8 – VetScript November 2020

The first runner-up was Team Blokes in Business, whose Uber-style app was designed to connect clients concerned about their pets’ health to trained and experienced veterinary nurses. Second runner-up Team Pelion developed a plan to move veterinary businesses online, with a shop, blog and free online consultation service. The runners-up won Prezzy Cards valued at $160 and $80 respectively, thanks to Royal Canin.

“We spent 80 to 100 hours on this project and we feel awesome!” said Kathleen Agustin, Team Halo Vets’ team leader. “It was really rewarding going from not knowing a thing about business to actually knowing what goes on. It helped us learn how to manage finance, staff and logistics and gave us a more rounded view of veterinary business.”

The win was hard fought, with the judges commenting on the high calibre of presentations and the outstanding concepts. “It was exciting to see the creative and excellent proposals,” says Tim Montgomery, President of the NZVA’s Veterinary Business Branch and one of the judges at the event.

Adele Rae Seow, a Student Veterinary Business Society committee member, says the competitors enjoyed learning about serious business topics in a fun way with friends. She also says that having experienced mentors and judges guide them was invaluable.

“Teams came in knowing little about what it takes to run a business and came away with real-world knowledge and business connections they can use in the future.” n

Top left: Jono Allen from Westpac and Charles Allen from Shelley Naylor Realty pose questions to the competitors. Top right: Team Halo Vets (left to right): Emma Middlemass, Holly Hender, Josiah Koh, Kathleen Agustin, Chantelle Wallbridge.

DAYS OF NOTE 1–7 NOVEMBER NATIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER AND RESCUE APPRECIATION WEEK (US) 3 NOVEMBER WORLD JELLYFISH DAY 10 NOVEMBER WORLD SCIENCE DAY FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

VetScript Deadlines for February 2021 issue EDITORIAL COPY 18 November 2020 DISPLAY AND CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 6 January 2021 LATE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 15 January 2021 Contact the editor at: vetscript@vets.org.nz

IMAGERY: SUPPLIED, ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

NEWS AND VIEWS

ALL WORK AND ALL PLAY ACCORDING TO A study published in Biology Letters, playing with humans may have accelerated domestication in particular dog breeds.

The researchers compared observational data on human-directed play behaviour from the Swedish Working Dog Association’s Dog Mentality Assessment project with breed categorisations from the American Kennel Club. They found that herding and sporting dog breeds were more playful than non-sporting and toy breeds.

The researchers also reconstructed the likely behaviour of ancestral dogs using a phylogeny function in the programme R, and noted that they probably had intermediate levels of human-directed play.

The authors conclude that play was important in early dog domestication and the breeding of working dogs, encouraging a strong bond between the dogs and their handlers. n REFERENCE: Kolm N, Temrin H, Miklósi Á, Kubinyi E, Garamszegi LZ. The link between selection for function and human directed play behaviour in dogs. Biology Letters, 20200366, 2020

NEW ANIMAL SCIENCE DEGREE ON OFFER THIS YEAR MASSEY University has introduced a new, three-year Bachelor of Animal Science degree offering four majors: animal genetics and breeding, animal nutrition and growth, animal welfare, and equine science.

Students are benefiting from research conducted at the university’s animal-based research centres, which include the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, the International Sheep Research Centre and the Working Dog Centre.

Graduates will be qualified for technical, advocacy and management roles in the production animal, equine and companion animal science industries – most notably in consultancy, sales, feed manufacturing, biosecurity and equine sport and racing.

According to the university, the degree is a good option for students keen to work in animal-based industries in New Zealand and around the world. n

NEWS AND VIEWS

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PUZZLING WORDS

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Here’s another crossword puzzle to test your knowledge. Designed

by UK veterinarian Alan Holford.

You can find the answers at www.nzva.org.nz/crossword.

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Across 7 A large stork of South and Central America with a bulbous neck. (6) 8 Pertaining to the eye. (6) 9 Meaning ‘leader’ in Hungarian, this breed is also known as the Hungarian Water Dog. (4) 10 A bony process on the scapula. (8) 11 A British breed of horse used primarily for carriage driving. (7) 13 Ehmer or Velpeau ____. (5) 15 The auricle. (5) 17 Large marine mammal also known as a ‘sea cow’. (7) 20 One could forgive the receptionist in a noisy waiting room for misregistering this as a common crossbreed dog. (cryptic) (8)

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21 Any anatomical part likened to a leg. Across (4)

3 A physical a causes gene 7 ofA large Stork of South and Central 22 The abnormal exiting tissue through the wall America with a bulbous neck. (6) 4 A venomous of the cavity where it Pharmaceut 8 Pertaining to the eye. (6) normally resides. (6) neurotoxic v 9 Meaning leader in Hungarian, this breed is intralesional 23 The process of puking. (6) also known as the Hungarian Water Dog. acral lick de (4) Down 5 A cat breed, 10 A boney process on the scapula. (8) crossing the 1 A sublingual salivary 11 A british breed of horse bred primarily for Burmese. (8 mucocele. (6) carriage driving. (7) 6 Pick out the 2 Hair-like appendages found 13 Ehmer or Velpeau _____. (5) on the surface of many 5 A cat breed, like its name, 16 I’m all mixed up. How photograph.

15 The auricle.

(5) from crossing gram-negative bacteria.

(4) produced do I sex this arachnid?

12 A hairy, rotu the Chinchilla Persian with (cryptic) (6) 17 Large marine mammal also known as the name. (8) 3 A physical agent or chemical the Burmese. (8) Sea Cow. (7) reagent that causes genetic 18 A benign tumour 14 A Russian d mutation to occur. (7) 6 Pick out the primate 20 One could forgive the receptionistarising in a from periodontalReindeer hu in the accompanying squamous cell residues. (6) room for misregistering this 16 I'm all mixe 4 A venomous snake of noisy waiting photograph. (6) the family Elapidae. as a common crossbreed dog. (cryptic) 19 C1. (5) (8) arachnid? (c Pharmaceutical 21 Any anatomical 12 A hairy, rotund breed to a leg. (4) partpiglikened 21 Masticate. (4) 18 A benign tu preparations of its with a Māori name. (8) 22 The abnormal exit of tissue through the squamous c neurotoxic venom have 14 A Russian dog breed wall of the cavity in which it resides. (6) been used intralesionally 19 C1. (5) originally used for hunting to provide hypalgesia in 23 The process of puking.

(6) 21 Masticate. ( reindeer. (7) acral lick dermatitis. (5) Down 1 A sublingual salivary mucocele. (6) 2 Hair like appendages found on the surface

NEWS AND VIEWS

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS A study by University of California, Davis researchers determined the bioavailability of orally administered phenobarbital in healthy goats, and analysed the effects of phenobarbital on the animals’ brain activity using electroencephalogram (EEG). They found that the bioavailability was poor (24.9%) and the half-life was very short due to a high clearance (3.80 ± 0.826 hours for orally administered phenobarbital and 4.0 ± 0.619 hours for intravenously administered phenobarbital). The authors state that the research helps inform dosing rates in goats, as current rates are based on studies of dogs and horses. www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ fvets.2020.00086/full

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Collaborative research between the UK’s University of Cambridge and the US National Animal Disease Center revealed that subunit vaccination with RlpB and VacJ proteins was not enough to protect pigs from challenge with Glaesserella parasuis (the pathogen responsible for Glӓsser’s disease). This was despite vaccinated animals developing high levels of antibodies and reactive peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to the recombinant proteins. The authors note the importance of testing vaccine efficacy in the target species, in this case pigs, as results differed from those involving rodents. https://bmcvetres.biomed central.com/articles/10.1186/ s12917-020-02377-5

GLOBAL LAB Mirjam Guesgen showcases research being conducted at veterinary schools around the world.

VETSUISSE FACULTY BERN AND ZURICH A study of the efficacy of an online antimicrobial stewardship tool found that overall proportions of antimicrobial prescription, unjustified antimicrobial therapy and the use of third-generation cephalosporins for cats decreased after the tool was introduced. Although usage was down for the feline diseases the researchers investigated, the overall compliance with Swiss prudent-use guidelines was still low. The authors argue that a greater promotion of prudent use and more first-line antimicrobials with convenient applications in cats are needed to combat antimicrobial resistance. https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-02002447-8

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY Veterinarians from Australia, Spain and Italy have detailed hand-rearing practices for three lesser flamingo chicks (Phoeniconaias minor). They describe dietary intake, feeding protocols and growth index from the first day to 60 days after hatching. They also describe a new diet composition that mimics the nutrient content of flamingo crop milk.

The authors say this information is useful for the conservation of this species. www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/8/1251/htm

CORNELL UNIVERSITY A study published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine evaluated the analytes involved in vitamin D metabolism, together with dietary intake and ultraviolet light exposure, in Asian elephants managed in a northern temperate climate. The study found that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was undetectable despite the diets being supplemented with vitamin D3 and the elephants getting enough light exposure. The information is helpful for understanding vitamin D’s role in elephant health and formulating accurate diets for the animals. https://bioone.org/journals/Journal-of-Zoo-and-Wildlife-Medicine/ volume-51/issue-1/2019-0097/THE-VITAMIN-D-STATUS-OF-ASIANELEPHANTS-ELEPHAS-MAXIMUS-MANAGED/10.1638/2019-0097.short

VetScript November 2020 – 11

MASSEY

NEWS AND VIEWS

UNIVERSITY

RESEARCH UPDATE FIGURE 1: The humerus of an affected heifer with a complete spiral fracture extending from beneath the humeral head to the distal condyle.

Solving a shoulder mystery Alvaro Wehrle Martinez, a PhD candidate at Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science, is studying a relatively new and untreatable problem in first-calving dairy heifers – and it’s unique to New Zealand.

12 – VetScript November 2020

BACKGROUND For more than 10 years farmers and veterinarians have witnessed the occurrence of shoulder (humeral) fractures in first-calving dairy heifers throughout New Zealand (Weston, 2008).

This year has been no different, with numerous instances across the country that include more than 60 first-calving heifers on a single farm. Reports of large numbers like these have only been described in New Zealand (Weston et al., 2012; Dittmer et al., 2016).

The first report of spontaneous humeral fracture was from a farm in the Manawatū region, where six out of 200 crossbreed heifers suffered humeral fractures within the first month of lactation. Copper deficiency was implicated as the potential cause (Weston, 2008).

The fractures are seen most commonly in first-lactation heifers from the end of pregnancy to five months after calving.

The humerus may be predisposed to pathologic fracture due to a combination of the high proportion of bodyweight supported on the forelimbs and the wide range of motion in the shoulder joint, which puts the humerus under great strain compared with other bones.

CT scans have shown that affected heifers have a smaller humeral bone circumference and reduced cortex thickness than unaffected heifers. This results in a decreased stress-strain index (a calculated measure of bone strength based on bone structural parameters) that is consistent with the bone fragility seen in affected heifers.

A preliminary study suggested that the cause of the fractures was multifactorial – a combination of inadequate nutrition during important growth periods, increased bone resorption to supply calcium for lactation, and periods of copper deficiency (Dittmer et al., 2016).

However, the study had a small sample size, so further investigation is required.

Cases have a sudden onset and are painful, and unfortunately for the animal there is no humane treatment available; slaughter is the only option.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

NEWS AND VIEWS

This results in significant animal wastage, economic loss, and impacts on animal welfare and farmer emotional wellbeing.

AIMS OF THE CURRENT PROJECT My PhD aims to determine the risk factors for humeral fractures in first-calving dairy heifers. It comprises a large-scale study of all levels of bone structure in animals with fractures compared with heifers without humeral fractures. The focus is on describing the macroscopic, microscopic and histomorphological findings in humeri, and quantifying collagen crosslinks using mass spectrometry and bone mineral profile using Raman spectroscopy.

RESULTS SO FAR I have received more than 120 bone samples from heifers who have or have not suffered humeral fractures in the

FIGURE 2: Bone powder is obtained using a cryogenic grinder and later analysed with mass spectrometry.

2019–20 season. Cases were collected by veterinarians and submitted from farms throughout New Zealand that had different management and nutritional conditions. The vast majority (83%) of the cases came from the South Island and 17% from the North Island.

There is a similar breed distribution of cases between Friesian and KiwiCross cows, with a few cases described in Jersey cows. This is consistent with the proportion of these breeds in the New Zealand dairy herd. In 99% of the cases the fractures spiral down the bone from the humeral head to just above the distal condyle (see Figure 1).

Classifying the cases according to the predominant winter feed shows that most animals (40%) were on fodder beet, 33% were on pasture and 12% were on another crop such as kale, swedes, maize and oats.

A liver copper analysis shows that about 50–60% of the animals, regardless of the main winter feed, had low liver copper concentrations at the time of the fractures. Copper is necessary for the formation of collagen cross-links, and alterations in collagen structure increase fracture susceptibility (Saito and Marumo, 2015). However, copper deficiency at the time of fracture does not indicate the copper status of the animal in the months prior, when the current bone was formed. Collagen cross-links analysis will allow me to determine the true role of copper deficiency in the fractures (see Figure 2).

Microscopically, I am seeing a range of lesions including rickets/ osteomalacia (abnormal bone formation and defective bone mineralisation) and osteoporosis (reduction in bone mass/ quantity). These lesions vary depending on the cows’ main diets during winter.

By determining the primary disease processes underlying the fractures, I hope to understand what is going wrong in heifer bone development.

There is still a long way to go in analysing my samples, but I hope to find answers that will help put an end to this catastrophic condition affecting so many heifers.

REFERENCES: Dittmer K, Hitchcock B, McDougall S, Hunnam J. Pathophysiology of humeral fractures in a sample of dairy heifers. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 64, 230–7, 2016 Saito M, Marumo K. Effects of collagen crosslinking on bone material properties in health and disease.

Calcified Tissue International 97, 242–61, 2015 Weston J. An outbreak of humeral fractures among dairy heifers. Proceedings of the Society of Dairy Cattle Veterinarians of the New Zealand Veterinary Association 241–3, 2008 Weston J, Thompson K, Dittmer K, Rashid Z. Humeral fractures in dairy heifers. Proceedings of the Dairy Cattle Veterinarians of the New Zealand Veterinary Association 2.18, 2012

PhD candidate Natalie King compiles research projects underway at Massey University.

VetScript November 2020 – 13

NEWS AND VIEWS

Welfare and ethics

UPDATE

Virginia Williams, for MPI and the NZVA, provides an update on welfare and ethics.

TAIL DOCKING IN LAMBS A Chilean study comparing 10 tail-docked lambs (docked using hot-iron cautery) with undocked lambs found – unsurprisingly – lower mechanical nociceptive thresholds in the docked lambs (Larrondo et al., 2019). In addition, traumatic neuroma formation was found in two of the docked lambs and neuromatous tissue development in six. This led the authors to conclude that tail docking by hot-iron cautery induces acute and chronic pain in lambs, initially through inflammation and then via longterm hyperalgesia and traumatic neuroma formation, with chronic, negative implications for their animal welfare.

This work built on earlier studies proposing that pain from tail docking was likely to continue for some time after pain relief ceased to be effective, and that docked lambs may be more sensitive to pain throughout their lives.

REFERENCE: Larrondo C, Bustamante H, Paredes E, Gallo C. Long-term hyperalgesia and traumatic neuroma formation in tail-docked lambs. Animal Welfare 28, 443–54, 2019 doi: 10.7120/09627286.28.4.443

WELFARE AT SLAUGHTER The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has updated its policy on animal welfare at slaughter. The policy states: “Slaughter is the final event in a farm animal’s life. The following principles must be observed if slaughter is to be humane with minimal pain, suffering and distress: » All personnel involved with slaughter must be trained, competent and caring; » Only those animals that are fit should be caught [or penned], loaded and transported to the slaughter site; » Any handling of animals prior

14 – VetScript November 2020

to slaughter must be done with consideration for the animals’ welfare; » In the slaughter facility only equipment that is fit for the purpose must be used; » Prior to slaughter of an animal, either it must be rendered unconscious and insensible to pain instantaneously or unconsciousness must be induced without pain or distress; » Animals must not recover consciousness [before] death ensues”.

In addition, the BVA has developed 67 recommendations to build on these principles and improve welfare at slaughter. The new policy was

announced ahead of an upcoming Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs review of England’s Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing regulations.

The NZVA does not have specific policies for welfare at slaughter, but the Code of Welfare for Commercial Slaughter has detailed requirements to ensure the welfare of animals at slaughter plants.

The updated BVA policy can be found at www.bva.co.uk/media/3665/ executive-summary-bva-positionon-the-welfare-of-animals-atslaughter.pdf.

PHOTOGRAPHY: IMAGERY:ISTOCKPHOTO.COM ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

NEWS AND VIEWS

WINTER GRAZING New Zealand’s Winter Grazing Action Group has responded to farmers’ requests by publishing a guidance document that describes and helps them meet expectations developed by the Winter Grazing Taskforce in 2019.

The release of the guidance was timed to support farmers’ preparation for winter 2021. It helps them to understand what they’re doing well, highlights opportunities for improvements and supports planning and winter grazing management. It covers seven expected ‘Short Term Outcomes for Animal Welfare’: » We ensure our animals give birth in the right environment. » We are prepared for all weather conditions. » Our animals can easily access acceptable drinking water. » We plan for successful winter feeding. » Our animals can lie down comfortably. » We work together to provide care to our animals during winter. » We find opportunities to improve.

The guidance is available on the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI’s) website at www.agriculture.govt.nz/dmsdocument/41683-Shortterm-expected-outcomes-for-animal-welfare.

QUOTE

“We patronise the animals for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours, they are more finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other Nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.”

– HENRY BESTON (AMERICAN WRITER AND NATURALIST), THE OUTERMOST HOUSE, 1928

REPORT ON NATIONAL CAT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY New Zealand’s National Cat Management Strategy Group was formed in November 2014 to develop an overarching strategy for responsible, compassionate and humane cat management in New Zealand. The group consists of representatives from national organisations with an interest in cat management: Local Government New Zealand; the Morgan Foundation; Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ); the NZVA; the NZVA’s Companion Animal Veterinarians special interest branch; and SPCA. MPI is an observatory member and the Department of Conservation a technical advisory member of the group.

In August this year the group published its updated, second report. In the interests of ensuring effective and humane cat management, its recommendations included: » acknowledgement that all cats are sentient » the responsible ownership of cats » the integration of best-practice management for all cats » community education programmes on the positive and negative impacts of cats » the protection of sensitive wildlife areas from cats » stray cat management » the establishment of a national cat management advisory committee and local management advisory groups » consistent legislation and commitment from Government around cat management.

The updated report can be found on the CANZ website at www.companionanimals.nz/ publications.

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NEWS AND VIEWS

Novel treatments and a new recruit Sarah Olson, Assistant Editor of the NZVJ, offers a sneak preview of the enlightening articles in this month’s issue.

IN CONTRAST TO the bovine-dominated theme in the last issue of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal (NZVJ), the November issue contains a pick-n-mix of articles on a variety of species and topics.

Two scientific articles discuss the application of novel methods of physiological support. In the first, Hisashi Sakata and colleagues investigated the use of bubble wrap for preventing heat loss in cats under anaesthesia. In their study, the limbs and thoraxes of cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy were wrapped in a combination of bubble wrap and absorbent pads. The heat loss in the bubble-wrapped animals was reduced, resulting in improved recovery times from general anaesthesia.

The authors report that the wrap was simple to apply and suggest this is an inexpensive and practical method for

16 – VetScript November 2020

reducing perioperative hypothermia in cats undergoing surgery.

In the second, Alejandro Soraci and colleagues adapted a plastic hood to accommodate piglets’ heads and snouts, enabling the rapid delivery of oxygen with a system that is practical for use on farm. The use of this device at birth improved KAT CROSSE the outcomes of piglets born with asphyxia and in 2016. She has continued to work as very low birth weights, and proved a costa senior lecturer at Massey University, effective, safe and easy method to help teaching undergraduates and running mitigate hypoxia. a residency programme in addition to This issue also contains two undertaking her clinical role. retrospective, short articles featuring “I enjoy nearly all aspects of surgery dogs: one that reports the results of – although I could give up routine a study of soft tissue sarcomas that orthopaedics without any regret – and compared their removal using either CO2 I’m especially interested in trying to find laser or surgical excision; and another the root causes of clinical problems and in which the C-reactive protein:albumin tailoring specific surgical treatments,” ratio was assessed as a prognostic marker Kat says. Her desire to modify treatment for acute pancreatitis. You can also read strategies to get the best outcomes articles on: administering a progesteronefor patients has led her to investigate based synchrony programme to phantom the variations and progression of cows on seasonal-calving dairy farms brachycephalic obstructive airway in New Zealand; the use of specific syndrome, the aetiology of chylothorax, trace element blood collection tubes the use of custom surgical implants and a for measuring concentrations of zinc rethink of our approach to open-chest CPR. in serum in sheep and cattle; and the When not thinking about or performing effects of feeding fodder beet during the surgery, Kat likes to get out and enjoy dry period on the metabolic profiles of the New Zealand landscape with her dog spring-calving dairy cows.

Fennel. They can often be seen in the We would like to welcome the newest hills, on a mountain bike trail or exploring member of the NZVJ Editorial Board, new beaches. She’s also recently taken up Kat Crosse. Kat is a Senior Lecturer in drawing and painting. small animal surgery at Massey University.

Hailing from the UK, she started her veterinary career in rural Sussex in a mixed practice dealing with everything from cats and dogs to turkeys and monkeys. After a Members of the NZVA can skiing accident and two cruciate surgeries, access any articles published Kat began to take on more and more small in the NZVJ by logging in to SciQuest animal work, specifically surgery, and this (www.sciquest.org.nz). More led her to move to New Zealand for an information about the NZVJ can be internship in surgery at Massey University. found at www.vetjournal.org.nz.

Following her internship and then a You can contact the editors at residency, Kat became a Diplomate of the nzvj@vets.org.nz.

European College of Veterinary Surgeons

NEWS AND VIEWS

Is remote RVM authorisation okay?

VCNZ’s Seton Butler explores what’s expected of veterinarians when authorising restricted veterinary medicines, and asks whether these expectations can be met if the authorisation is done remotely.

THE LEGAL BITS The Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinarians specifies that every consultation must include the veterinarian being given, and accepting, responsibility for the ongoing health and welfare of the animal(s) concerned in relation to the consultation. This includes arranging emergency care after considering the circumstances and the potential for adverse effects from, or failure of, the agreed course of action.

Read: Without absolving owners of their ultimate responsibility for their animals’ welfare, consulting veterinarians must arrange emergency care for the animals in their care. This care may be provided by them, another veterinarian or another competent person. Whatever the course of action, it should not compromise the animals’ welfare.

When authorising restricted veterinary medicines (RVMs), a consulting veterinarian must gather sufficient information and must be able to defend that judgement successfully in light of common and accepted professional standards and practice of the veterinarian’s peers.

Read: The prevailing standards of the profession set the scene for how we judge veterinarians if they come under scrutiny.

The animal(s) must have been seen recently or often enough for the veterinarian to have sufficient personal knowledge of the condition/health status of the animal(s).

When considering how often to assess animals on farm, a veterinarian might think about farm staff competence, the effectiveness of treatment, the availability

of reliable animal health and welfare data and the findings of previous visits.

When it comes to RVMs for future use it is reasonable to authorise a person to hold specific RVMs to be used as instructed if there are regular and appropriately frequent checks by the authorising veterinarian to confirm that the circumstances have not changed and the choice of RVM and treatment regime is still appropriate. The quantity of RVM and duration the RVM can be held must be limited and appropriate, taking into consideration the potential for the circumstances to change.

Read: Farmers can hold RVMs on farm for the early treatment of various conditions but appropriate clinical insight and oversight are required. Ensuring controlled access to RVMs (for example, by only dispensing small quantities) and undertaking appropriate animal health assessments may be a way to do this.

The consultation process must include the veterinarian determining and providing the appropriate level of advice and training so as to be satisfied that the agreed course of action can proceed as planned.

Read: Veterinarians must have confidence that each individual authorised to administer RVMs is competent in recognising and treating animal health conditions appropriately.

THE CLINICAL BITS – WHERE DOES REMOTE AUTHORISATION FIT? Most diseases on farm are multifactorial, and effective treatment often requires an understanding of the wider farm system.

This deeper understanding is arguably difficult to acquire remotely.

For example, the primary function of a dry-off consultation is to recommend appropriate products to treat infections acquired during the current lactation and prevent new infections in the dry period.

However, an effective dry-off consultation goes beyond simply selling a product. It has the potential to positively influence animal welfare, milk quality, product stewardship, farm biosecurity, herd health and farm staff competence or confidence.

The ability to authorise RVMs remotely comes down to what we as veterinarians consider acceptable levels of professional standards. If the common accepted standard is a local veterinarian doing their job well, who regularly visits the farms where they provide treatment, provides required emergency care, and considers farm animal health and welfare from a holistic viewpoint, I think the bar has been set relatively high. I also think it would be very difficult for a veterinarian to provide that level of care by operating at a distance.

However, if the average veterinarian authorises farmers to have a year’s supply of antibiotics on hand, only considers the status of the animals on the farm once at the time of authorisation, and does little in the way of addressing the complexity of herd health within the wider farm system, then the clinical standard is very low.

Therefore, if we are concerned about remote authorisation, we need to ensure that, as a profession, we are providing a quality of care that can’t be matched at a distance.

VetScript November 2020 – 17

NEWS PROFILE AND VIEWS

18 – VetScript November 2020

PROFILE

A round trip

IN VETERINARY PRACTICE Eleanor Black speaks to Simon Clark, a Kiwi veterinarian whose qualification has taken him around the world and into and out of clinical practice.

SIMON CLARK HAS followed his diverse interests from rural West Auckland to Levin, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. He has worked with companion animals in practice and for a major pharmaceuticals company, as well as squeezed in writing a master’s thesis on why people seek alternative treatments for their animals.

This winding career path has recently brought him to a clinical practice in Hamilton, where he is happily working with companion animals again, and a team of “lovely, lovely people”.

A proponent of ‘realistic optimism’, Simon says he’s the kind of veterinarian who never shies away from the truth, but remains positive. He’ll tell clients with gravely ill pets, “This is what’s going to happen, and this is what we can do to relieve discomfort. Life expectancy is this, but that means 50% of animals in this situation will live longer. Enjoy every day you have.”

Simon applies that philosophy to all aspects of his life, and even cites it on his LinkedIn profile (alongside his interest in running, sci-fi, environmentalism and Japanese food)

PHOTOGRAPHY: PETER DRURY

to help spread the word. “A realistic pessimist would look at climate change and say, ‘The world is ruined and there’s no point in doing anything.’

An unrealistic optimist would say, ‘It’s fine, we don’t need to do anything.’

A realistic optimist says, ‘Yes, it’s a problem and we need to do something now.’ I want more people to know that’s a perspective they can have.”

After graduating from Massey University in 2001, Simon worked for a two-person practice in Taupaki, West Auckland. He intended to focus on production animals, but “after a couple of calving seasons I realised that companion animal work could be really

satisfying. It had the advantage of being indoors out of the rain and mud, and when you recommended diagnostic tests people were more open to that. Medical mysteries could be explored and treated”.

He’d been in practice for five years when he applied for an internship and moved to Los Angeles to work for a private specialty practice for 13 months.

“It was an amazing experience; I learned a lot and developed a renewed excitement for veterinary medicine,” he says. “I saw so much more that could be done than I’d realised. On the surgery side they were doing lots of total hips, cruciate surgeries and surgeries for joint deformities. On the medical side they were taking extraordinarily unwell animals whom clients assumed would need to be euthanased, and giving them options. It was wonderful to watch.”

One of the surgeons had invented a procedure for treating big cats who’d been declawed – lions, pumas and tigers were often brought into the clinic. While declawing was banned in California,

ONLY ONCE DID HE ENCOUNTER ANY NEGATIVITY ABOUT HIS MOVE FROM CLINICAL PRACTICE TO CORPORATE WORK… “I BRUSHED IT OFF, REPLYING THAT I WAS HELPING ANIMALS, JUST IN A DIFFERENT WAY.”

VetScript November 2020 – 19

PROFILE

Simon sees many dog breeds as a companion animal veterinarian but recalls Chihuahuas were particularly popular in Las Vegas, where he previously worked.

it was still legal in Nevada and illegal declawings were also a problem. A large cat would wear through their pads because, when their last phalanx had been removed with the claw, the tendons were also severed and the remaining bone was left to flop around.

“The surgeon would reattach the ligaments and give the cats back digital control, so they could point their toes.”

Simon followed up his internship working for Banfield, a mega-chain of veterinary clinics, in Las Vegas. The pets who came in for treatment included snakes, tarantulas, Jackson’s chameleons and blue-tongued lizards.

Then came a stint with the Las Vegas Animal Emergency Hospital, which served a population of 2.5 million people.

“It was nothing this New Zealander had ever seen. There were two veterinarians and eight veterinary nurses, another 12 support staff on site, and computed tomography and

20 – VetScript November 2020

SIMON… PREDICTS GREATER SPECIALISATION AMONG VETERINARIANS AND AN INCREASE IN THE RATIO OF VETERINARY NURSES TO OTHER VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS.

magnetic resonance imaging machines on site.”

Despite the availability of snakes and other exotic animals, Simon says emergency care centred on dogs and cats, although that too had a foreign flavour for a Kiwi, as common complaints included snake bites, scorpion stings and heat stroke from being in the desert.

Simon noticed that pet insurance was far more commonly used in the US than in New Zealand, but believes it will continue to increase in popularity here.

He also predicts greater specialisation among veterinarians and an increase in the ratio of veterinary nurses to veterinarians, plus a greater reliance on online pharmacies, removing the income veterinarians get from dispensing medication.

Simon returned to New Zealand in 2009 and worked as a companion animal veterinarian in a mixed practice in Levin.

While at the practice he completed a Master of Veterinary Medicine at Massey University, writing his thesis

PROFILE

on the appeal of alternative treatments for animals, a subject about which he remains passionate. “The biggest reason for people seeking alternative therapy is frustration,” he says.

“It can be unavoidable frustration with an incurable or untreatable disease, or it can be avoidable frustration because of unclear communication from veterinarians, poor customer service, unsympathetic listening, or misunderstanding.

Veterinarians and other veterinary professionals need to be careful to always listen sympathetically, discuss with an open mind and advise clearly, explaining the reasoning for their recommendations.”

After Levin came a move to Hamilton and a product manager’s role at Virbac, where Simon was able to use his clinical background when training the sales team and visiting clinics to provide technical information on products. The biggest change for him was timeframes: in clinical practice he was accustomed to encountering, assessing and providing

solutions to problems in 15-minute increments. At Virbac he spent many months on a project.

“For any particular campaign we’d be supplying the area representatives with printed material six weeks before it was planned to start, training the reps 12 weeks before, finalising designs of the website and printed material 18 weeks before, briefing the designers 24 weeks before and planning the campaign 36 weeks before.”

Only once did he encounter any negativity about his move from clinical practice to corporate work. “I was lucky enough to have only one person make a backhanded comment: ‘Don’t you care about animals anymore?’ I brushed it off, replying that I was helping animals, just in a different way. Veterinary clinics need medications to treat animals and pharmaceutical companies provide those medications.

“However, it did hurt me a lot to think people may feel that way about my move.

Mostly I had other general practitioner veterinarians ask me about it because

they were looking for ways to get out of the pressure of clinical practice without having to retrain.”

Simon had been at Virbac for four years when he came across an advertisement for a job at the Hamilton Small Animal Veterinary Centre, a practice he’d long admired.

“I knew it to be an exceptionally good clinic, and when people asked me to recommend a veterinarian I’d always send them there. It was in my mind that if an opportunity came up I’d jump at it.”

When asked whether he enjoys corporate work or clinical practice more, Simon says the two jobs are incomparable. “They are very different jobs. Different pace, different expectations… Neither is better than the other, just very different.”

Now, less than six months into the job, he says he thinks the magic lies in the practice’s collaborative culture.

“Everyone gets along, everyone communicates clearly. People point out when you’re doing something wrong and no-one ever takes it badly. They are lovely, lovely people, with great customers and a great facility.”

It’s been a strange time to start a new job, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect work practices. As someone who has clinical depression, Simon says he’s been careful to take his medication and worries for colleagues who’ve been put under extreme pressure.

“Even when things are going really well my brain will find some way to make them bad.

“When lockdown first came in I joked, ‘I’m a germaphobic introvert. I’ve been preparing for this my whole life; this is my time.’”

Having recently bought a house, Simon’s spare time is consumed by DIY, gardening and caring for his elderly cat Phoenix, the last of three siblings. As is typical for someone in the veterinary industry, his animal companions have usually been rehomed through the clinic, which he reckons is “part of the fun”.

VetScript November 2020 – 21

OUT THERE VETTING

A TRULY MIXED PRACTICE Mirjam Guesgen speaks to Greg Hall, Managing Director and large animal veterinarian at Energy Vets in Taranaki, about the value of being a contract practice and the importance of veterinary support staff.

What kind of practice is Energy Vets Taranaki?

We’re a contract practice, which means we have a contract of service to two veterinary clubs – Inglewood Vet Services and North Taranaki Vet Services. We have two clinics, one in Inglewood and one in Waitara.

Basically we’re a privately owned company but we don’t own the buildings. The clubs own those and are essentially our landlords. It’s beneficial to us because we don’t have to come up with a lot of capital for premises.

22 – VetScript November 2020

We’re a fairly typical, rural mixed practice. I think our difference is that we have a good team of people who work together well, and we have a really good atmosphere here. What I really enjoy in this business is being part of the community.

Who owns and manages the practice?

We’re owned by four shareholders, who all work in the business. Three of them, including me, are veterinarians

and work day to day in the clinic. I’m also the Managing Director. The other veterinarians are Aaron Chambers, who’s also the Farm Animal Operations Manager, and Peter Benn, who’s our Resident Director at the Waitara clinic. The fourth shareholder is Kylie Lindsay, who’s not a veterinarian and works as the Stock and Clinic Services Manager. Together we set the direction and goals of the practice and look after its financial performance.

We have a two- or three-hour management meeting every second Wednesday, where we discuss any issues.

It’s a structured meeting with an agenda and minutes. We also deal with issues as they come up. All the managers have opendoor policies and we can easily bring issues to each other’s attention because we’re all working together anyway. In that sense the management structure isn’t separate from the rest of the business.

How many staff do you have?

We have a staff of 35 across two clinics: 15 veterinarians, six veterinary nurses, three large animal veterinary technicians, five receptionists, an on-farm salesperson who also helps in reception, and five in the administration team.

Some of our team can fit into large and small animal roles, but most are either

PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK HARRIS

OUT THERE VETTING

They’re out there in the provinces and the cities, veterinarians doing the everyday work in neighbourhood and country clinics. In this series, VetScript visits a different clinic every month.

Exceeding customer expectations – whether that’s a great groom or giving a patient a few extra cuddles – is part of Energy Vets’s philosophy.

Clockwise from left: groomer Nadine Steele, veterinary nurse Tayla Willetts and veterinarian Kath Buchanan prepare to X-ray a patient, final-year veterinary student Kaitlyn Bongers and veterinarian Emma Sargent.

large animal or small animal, so we run two separate rosters. Our veterinarians have particular surgery and consultation days and some of our veterinary nurses work part-time. So it’s a kind of mix and match when it comes to rostering. Having a large team is good though; it means your weekends on call don’t come around as often as they might otherwise.

How do the veterinary nurses and technicians contribute to the value of the practice?

The veterinary nurses are essential; they keep our veterinarians on task. We’re blessed with some very good veterinary nurses who help the veterinarians in many ways, whether it’s assisting in surgery and holding animals or doing tasks like cleaning and sterilising kits, dispensing medicines and sending reminders to clients. We couldn’t be without our veterinary nurses.

Equally, the large animal veterinary technicians are a hugely valuable part of our team. They phone clients to book routine procedures like disbudding, teat sealing and vaccinations and they carry out a lot of that work as well. They probably know a lot of our farmers better than some of the veterinarians do, because they have more regular contact with them.

KEEPING DIALOGUE GOING BETWEEN THE TEAM MEMBERS IS IMPORTANT, AND IT’S WHERE TEAM MEETINGS ARE GREAT. I OFTEN TEXT STAFF TOO, JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY’RE OKAY.

VetScript November 2020 – 23

OUT THERE VETTING

Left: Cats and dogs make up the majority of the companion animal patient list, but the clinic also gets its share of what Managing Director Greg Hall calls “oddballs”. Recently they treated a ruru and a harrier hawk.

Opposite: Kaitlyn and Kath work together to clean a cow’s hoof.

offer helpful suggestions. We were all new graduates once, so we try to be as helpful as we can. I’ve been in practice 35 years and I’m still being presented with problems I’ve never seen before!

WHEN WE WENT FROM ALERT LEVEL 4 TO LEVEL 2 WE HAD A MAD SIX WEEKS… PEOPLE HAD ALSO STARTED NOTICING DIFFERENT THINGS JUST BY SPENDING MORE TIME WITH THEIR ANIMALS.

How important are the relationships between farmers and veterinary technicians and veterinarians?

They’re hugely important. Often it’s the little things that make a big difference to our farmers. Things like knowing someone doesn’t have great facilities and we need to send two people to do a job when normally one would go.

Also, the trust built up through regular contact means that if something goes wrong the farmer isn’t going to go off at someone. They trust that whoever is there can work through the problem, explain why it happened and learn from it.

How does the practice support new graduates?

We’ve had several new graduates over the years and they’ve always been buddied

24 – VetScript November 2020

with experienced veterinarians. We have a very supportive large animal and small animal team, and our small animal team is very experienced – all bar one graduated more than 30 years ago.

I think there’s always a fear among new graduates that they’re going to be dropped in at the deep end and left to their own devices, with no-one to call if they run into trouble. We give them a run-up period of about three months before we put them on after-hours. We want to make sure they’ve found their feet.

We also have regular large animal meetings where people can discuss cases they’re unsure of, and we use WhatsApp on the go. If there’s a case on a farm that someone, not just a new graduate, is concerned about, they take a photo and one of the team will be there to

What are some of the challenges of veterinary practice?

I think you have to expect change all the time. This year, especially, we’ve been sent some challenges that no-one could have foreseen. You have to keep communicating with staff to make sure everything’s going okay. During the COVID-19 lockdown this was especially important because people were isolated while working from home.

Keeping dialogue going between the team members is important, and it’s where team meetings are great. I often text staff too, just to make sure they’re okay.

There’s always some degree of challenge in being a veterinarian or owning a veterinary business. I think you just have to try to stay grounded and practical and come up with sensible solutions to problems as they arise.

Is there anything that worked well during the lockdown that you’ve since put in place permanently?

A couple of things. Telemedicine worked well for some cases, for both us and our clients. We had some Zoom calls with clients, or they’d send photographs so we could decide whether the situations were emergencies or not.

We also had Zoom meetings for CPD, which we’ll definitely continue. They meant people could learn something in an hour at a computer. What used to take almost a whole day, with travel, can now be done during lunchtimes.

OUT THERE VETTING

I also learned how to talk with clients when they’re scared about other stuff and how to reassure people in a different way.

What about now; have your aspirations for the business changed at all?

No. I think our advantage is that we have a truly mixed practice. We have a strong dairy farming focus, a very strong, and growing, small animal department and quite a strong equine focus as well. Our main goal is to be a business that’s part of the community, provides up-to-date veterinary care with a customer focus and offers a place where people like to work.

Has the fact that people were spending more time with their pets translated into more veterinary visits or spending?

When we went from Alert Level 4 to Level 2 we had a mad six weeks. There were catch-ups, of course, but people

had also started noticing different things just by spending more time with their animals. Lameness, ear conditions, bad breath… all those things that they may have ignored before suddenly became things they wanted looked at.

How that’s going to translate going forward, I don’t know. I think sick animals are still sick animals and people want to get them treated, but decisions on luxury items – such as whether they buy prescription food or cheaper options at supermarkets – will depend more on people’s incomes.

Are you actively doing or thinking about doing anything to keep the cash coming in?

We’re anticipating growth in companion animal care, so we’ve convinced our landlord to invest in an extension of our small animal hospital facilities. We’ve put in new cat and dog wards and a grooming room.

We also want to handle more hospitalisations and intensive care, and now have an in-house laboratory for speedy diagnostics. Clients like to see that their animals are in a comfortable hospital environment and that the animals are being well cared for. It’s really important and makes clients advocates for you.

What about the future of the profession in general?

Veterinary practices have to be attractive businesses for people to want to buy into them. They need to have a future. That’s a concern for the long term. It seems a lot of the corporate-type companies are buying smaller businesses that otherwise wouldn’t sell.

I think in rural New Zealand people need to be able to visit and talk to the boss if they want to – not have the owner in a far-off land. You still have to be able to talk to someone who can make a decision for you. I hope that’s not lost.

VetScript November 2020 – 25

MEMBERSHIP

AS WE SETTLE INTO OUR ‘NEW NORMAL’ AFTER A VERY CHALLENGING YEAR, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE POSITIVE FEEDBACK WE’VE RECEIVED ABOUT THE WAY THE NZVA HAS RESPONDED TO MEMBERS’ REQUIREMENTS DURING LOCKDOWN. Some of the things we learned during this intense period have helped us to refine the way we work for you.

In particular you will have noticed the COVID-19 resources and regular updates, the Wellbeing Hub and regular Zoom meetings with members and stakeholders, our increased media presence in regard to both COVID-19 and advocacy work around issues such as the shortage of veterinarians, plus a whole lot of online CPD. During this busy time we’ve also been able to confirm our strategic plan and priorities with the Board and Member Advisory Group (MAG) following the completion of the change project.

IN WORKING FOR YOU OUR TOP THREE PRIORITIES ARE Workforce and business sustainability.

Translating wellbeing into practice.

Public confidence of veterinarians in evidence-based animal health and welfare.

We are stronger together because your involvement with the NZVA and feedback help us to better meet your needs. Please keep in touch and stay involved.

26 – VetScript November 2020

WHAT HAS CHANGED? One membership fee – there is now only one membership fee to join the NZVA and special interest branches, giving you all-inclusive access to any technical information you want.

Most fees have gone down – membership fees have been reduced and discounts applied.

Support staff – if all veterinarians in a clinic are members of the NZVA, support staff will receive access to the Wellbeing Hub, discounted CPD and other non-technical information.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership categories and fees for 2021 Most membership fees have been reduced this year as there is only one membership fee to join the NZVA and special interest branches (SIBs). You have all-inclusive access to any technical information you want.

Membership category

Subcategory

Veterinarian Practising or Industry

Full-time Part-time Locum Contractor Self-employed Consultant Year 1 Graduate Year 2 Graduate Year 3 Graduate

Veterinarian New Graduate Veterinarian Non-practising (online only) Associate Members (online only)

Time out Academic/Researcher Overseas Postgraduate Practice Manager Industry Partner (non-veterinarian) Large Animal Veterinary Technician Other

Retired Members

NZVA single membership fee (before discount) (GST excl) (GST incl) $860 $989

NZVA single membership fee (after discount) (GST excl) (GST incl) $745 $856.75

Description

$600

$690

$521

$599.15

$300

$345

$253

$290.95

$280

$322

$245

$281.75

Veterinary professionals who work within the veterinary industry and are not veterinarians.

$0

$0

$0

$0

Veterinarian who is over the age of 65 and has been a member of the association (or a similar organisation in another country) for more than 30 years may apply for free membership.

Veterinarian living in New Zealand, registered with VCNZ, practising and working as per the subcategory.

Veterinarian living in New Zealand, registered with VCNZ, in their first, second or third year of practice after graduating from veterinary school.

Veterinarians living in New Zealand who are not working or who are studying.

Veterinarians who are currently living overseas.

Member benefits at a glance Member benefits

Veterinarian Practising or Industry

Veterinarian Veterinarian New Graduate Nonpractising

Associate Members

Life/Retired Members

Student Members

Wellbeing Hub Technical advice Voting rights Regional network membership Special interest membership Hold office in NZVA or in branch Eligible for the Board VetScript NZVJ online (optional hard copy available for $95 per year) SciQuest

Online

Online only

Online only

VetLearn Update NZVA conference discounts CPD discounts

Free student events

MyCPD Eligibility for scholarships, grants and subsides Mentoring Members only, Facebook, membership

VetScript November 2020 – 27

MEMBERSHIP

Member benefits for 2021 AT A GLANCE NZVA Conference – 50% discount.

National network of 15 regional branches for learning and connecting with.

Fourteen special interest branches to build species-specific knowledge and professional relationships.

This included meetings with Ministers and officials and significant media coverage, which helped facilitate change on your behalf.

ONLINE CONNECTIONS

Facebook groups, online forums and social media channels.

www.nzva.org.nz – for the latest news, tools and resources, guidelines, policies and position statements, social media networking options, and more.

Subscriptions to veterinary publications.

Learning and professional development.

VetScript (professional members’ magazine, 11 issues a year).

Exclusive member discounts for NZVA-accredited CPD.

New Zealand Veterinary Journal (peer-reviewed scientific journal; online access to six issues a year).

VetScholar online learning courses.

SciQuest (fully indexed and searchable e-library of veterinary scientific articles and proceedings).

VetNews (your online newsletter).

PROFESSIONAL AND INDUSTRY REPRESENTATION The NZVA advocates and lobbies on your behalf on a wide range of issues and sits on a range of stakeholder groups to actively represent your views. A recent example is the work carried out to help alleviate the shortage of veterinarians which was made worse by COVID-19.

Conferences, events, workshops, webinars and road show.

MyCPD – your personal online space to record and keep track of all your CPD activity.

VetCPD stamp of quality.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MENTORING BESTPRACTICE accreditation programme.

New Mentoring Programme – helping you at any stage of your career.

Find-a-Vet – online directory of member practices to help make it easy for customers to find you.

Find-a-job – our classified ads are the go-to place for veterinary jobs in New Zealand.

Awards, grants and scholarships – professional recognition, acknowledgement and support.

Quality assurance and risk management programmes – BESTPRACTICE, Leptosure, Elbow Dysplasia, Control BVD, microchipping, calf disbudding, grooms.

DISCOUNTS

WELLBEING Wellbeing Hub with free resources to enhance your wellbeing.

Elizabeth Veterinary Benevolent Fund – providing vital support and services to our membership in times of needs.

Member-only discounts and offers through: Avis Rental Cars MAS Healthy Practice Mobil Card New Zealand Office Supplies PerksCard (multiple discount opportunities) Westpac.

New benefit for 2021 We are excited to bring you the PerksCard app that provides you with discounts on your favourite brands and a digital membership card.

Categories include: adventure, auto and transport, clothing, entertainment, food and drink, health and beauty, lifestyle.

Examples of discounts: » Torpedo 7 – 15% discount » Beaurepaires – 15% off tyres » Pit Stop – 10% discount

Visit https://perkscard.co.nz/discounts to view all the discounts available!

» Specsavers – 25% off glasses, 50% off eye exam

Download the app and present it at participating retailers or use the codes for your online purchases. Renew your membership and PerksCard will send you an email with a link to signup. Complete your signup and then download the app and starting saving!

» The Safety Warehouse – 35% discount

28 – VetScript November 2020

» The Coffee Club – 20% discount » Big Save Furniture – up to 30% off » Dulux – excellent discounts » Domino’s – 30% off traditional or gourmet pizzas

MEMBERSHIP

Frequently asked questions HOW DO I RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP? If your employer pays for your membership – many veterinary employers in New Zealand pay the NZVA membership fees for their staff. We gratefully acknowledge employers for showing this commitment and support to you as their employees.

We sent an email to your employer in early October to check that your current subscription is correct and you are linked to the correct practice. On 30 November an invoice will be sent to your employer for payment for all members within your place of employment. If your subscription needs changing, your employer will advise us accordingly.

If you pay for your membership – we sent you an email in early October to check that your current subscription is correct. On 30 November an invoice will be sent to you for payment. If your subscription needs changing please advise us accordingly.

HOW DO I GET THE DISCOUNTS? Discounts vary according to whether your membership is paid in full by 31 January 2021 and/or 100% of eligible veterinarians in your business are members. Rebates will be provided once your membership has been paid and the analysis of your discounts is completed.

WHEN DO I PAY? Invoices will be generated on 30 November and will be payable by 20 January 2021, unless other arrangements have been made.

If membership invoices remain unpaid by 28 February 2021, all membership privileges will cease. The membership year runs from 1 January to 31 December 2021.

CAN I JOIN MORE THAN ONE SPECIAL INTEREST BRANCH? Yes. If you are a veterinarian or veterinary student member, you can join up to three special interest branches and then indicate what other branches are of interest to you. There is no additional cost to join a special interest branch.

HOW DO I JOIN MY REGIONAL NETWORK? Members are automatically added to their regional network based on where they live.

CAN I PUT MY MEMBERSHIP ON HOLD FOR PARENTAL LEAVE? Yes. Membership fees will be adjusted during your parental leave period under our ‘time out’ membership category.

By keeping your membership, you will be

able to stay in touch with the profession while you are on leave. You will be able to access everything you could access before.

CAN I BE A MEMBER IF I’M NOT WORKING OR A PRACTISING VETERINARIAN? Our membership options reflect your personal circumstances, whether you are a postgraduate veterinarian studying full-time, a retired veterinarian or a veterinarian on parental leave, or leave because of illness. We also offer associate memberships for people working within the profession or in the wider veterinary industry who are not veterinarians. They must be nominated by an NZVA member.

WHAT ARE THE CORE BENEFITS? You will use some NZVA services more than others, depending on your career and life stage, but the value and core benefits are always there when you belong to the NZVA. As a member, you will: stay connected, informed, and up to date keep learning and upskilling with the best enjoy networking and socialising with your peers give or get a helping hand when needed get support to boost your career or business

NZVJ

enjoy discounts and special offers.

Would you like a printed copy?

Te Hautaka Tākuta Kararehe o Aotearoa

WHO DO I CONTACT?

Volume 67 | Number 1 | January 2020 | ISSN 0048–0169

As an NZVA member you receive electronic access to the New Zealand Veterinary Journal (NZVJ) through SciQuest.

Te Hautaka Tākuta Kararehe o Aotearoa

In this issue • Review: Wildlife diseases: an update and future challenges

Volume 67 | Number 1 | May 2020 | ISSN 0048–0169

• Prevalence and risk factors for subclinical hypocalcaemia in dairy cows • Effect of Ca treatment after calving in dairy cows • Unexpected nematode parasites in calves

Email us at membership@vets.org.nz or call us at national office on 04 471 0484.

• Use of a vaccine for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in sheep • Oxygen supplementation in dogs • Ophthalmic complications after dental surgery in cats

In this issue

If you would prefer to receive a hard copy you can purchase this for $95 for all six issues.

Our membership team is ready to answer any questions.

• Review: Wildlife diseases: an update and future challenges • Prevalence and risk factors for subclinical hypocalcaemia in dairy cows

Volume 67 | Number 1 | September 2020 | ISSN 0048–0169

• Effect of Ca treatment after calving in dairy cows • Unexpected nematode parasites in calves • Use of a vaccine for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in sheep • Oxygen supplementation in dogs • Ophthalmic complications after dental surgery in cats

In this issue

Contact membership@vets.org.nz to purchase your hard copy!

» Review: Wildlife diseases: an update and future challenges » Prevalence and risk factors for subclinical hypocalcaemia in dairy cows » Effect of Ca treatment after calving in dairy cows » Unexpected nematode parasites in calves » Use of a vaccine for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in sheep » Oxygen supplementation in dogs » Ophthalmic complications after dental surgery in cats

VetScript November 2020 – 29

COVER STORY

Spotlight on the

FARM DOG They’re best mates to many farmers, indispensable to all.

Gerard Hutching investigates how caring for farm dogs has changed and the part veterinarians play.

30 – VetScript November 2020

IMAGERY: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

COVER STORY

RECENT DECADES HAVE seen a sea change in attitudes to caring for what Marlborough veterinarian Stuart Burrough describes as “amazing animals and elite athletes”.

Where once farmers might have fed their dogs throwaway lamb offcuts, and left them in kennels at the mercy of the elements, a rising tide of awareness is setting new standards for working farm dog care.

Cathryn Peacocke, Practice Manager at Atkinson & Associates Veterinary Services in the King Country town of Piopio, confirms a shift in attitude from observations she’s made in the past 10 years.

Cathryn explains that some of the big advances in farm dog care can be put down to drugs, nutrition and kennels. For example more farmers are putting coats on their dogs in winter,

enabling the dogs to rest rather than use up precious energy pacing around their kennels trying to keep warm.

“Ten years ago it wasn’t uncommon to see very thin farm dogs who weren’t regularly wormed or fed enough, and were sometimes fed poor-quality food.

They were injured regularly and didn’t last very long. There are still dogs like that out there, but these days they’re the exception to the rule.”

VetScript November 2020 – 31

COVER STORY

And where in the past farmers might have waited until arthritis slowed dogs down, they are now being more proactive by putting them on antiinflammatory drugs as soon as they show any signs of stiffness.

“They might just give the drugs as pulse therapy if their dogs have a big day ahead of them – or as the dogs get older they might get a more constant course.

There’s one product [mavacoxib] that you can give once a month; it’s been a game-changer for farm dogs because farmers aren’t always compliant in dosing daily.”

Big strides have also been made in nutrition. Dogs used to be fed mutton no matter the quality, but one of the upsides of the better prices farmers are being paid for livestock is that the practice has largely stopped. “It’s a godsend for nutrition,” says veterinarian Caroline Robertson of Vet Services Hawke’s Bay. Veterinarian Stuart, from Vet Marlborough, compares dogs to elite athletes, and says the All Blacks wouldn’t try to perform on “rubbish” when diets

32 – VetScript November 2020

“IN THE PAST OLD DOGS MIGHT HAVE BEEN PUT DOWN, BUT NOW A LOT OF PEOPLE VALUE THEIR DOGS’ SERVICE AND TREAT THEM TO A DAMN GOOD RETIREMENT – WHICH THEY SHOULD GET.”

with high levels of protein and fat give them more stamina and stronger bones.

Specialty dry-food diets don’t come cheap. For example, the Royal Canin mobility diet costs almost $200 for 15kg, but Cathryn says the higher price tag can come with a new lease on life for some dogs.

“I recently talked to a guy who’d put his nine-year-old Huntaway on this food, and he said he’s a different dog,” she says. “It means he can get his young dog going, so rather than having to buy another dog, the old dog can keep going until the younger one is ready.

“He said, ‘I feel I owe it to him, he’s been a really good dog to me.’”

A dog’s working lifespan depends on the terrain in which they work, Cathryn says. Five to seven years is the maximum on steep hill country, and after that they might be sold to someone with an easier property. Cathryn knows of a number of nine-year-olds who are still working and are valuable members of their teams.

Financial self-interest is one of the chief drivers of the transformation in care. Chris Macdonald, station manager at Patearoa in Central Otago, says a welltrained dog can be worth anything from $8,000 to $10,000, so any measures to extend their working life (as the farmer’s second-most-valuable asset after a vehicle) are welcome.

IMAGERY: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM, SUPPLIED

COVER STORY

“WALLAGO DOGS IS A GOOD THING FOR PRACTICES, CLIENTS AND ANIMALS, AND GETS VETERINARIANS OUT ON FARMS OFFERING A VALUEADDED SERVICE.”

Chris has six dogs on the 20,000-stock-unit property and treats them as part of the family.

“Most guys are pretty caring, and some appreciate their dogs more than others. It depends on your upbringing: if you come from an environment where people treat their dogs well, you will too.

Some dogs get good pats during the day, but some people hardly pat their dogs at all; they’re just tools to them.

“Some farmers buy dogs and trade them, while others keep them from pups to when they die. In the past old dogs might have been put down, but now a lot of people value their dogs’ service and treat them to a damn good retirement – which they should get.”

For Chris, a typical day starts with giving his dogs a run before he loads them onto the dog box on the ute and heads off to work. In spring, lambing is the most important job, and he prefers to use the three heading dogs rather than the boisterous Huntaways, who come into their own herding sheep in the yards.

Chris sees veterinarians as being at the forefront of dog health and wellbeing, and says care has become more sophisticated. Equally, farmers are more prepared these days to spend a lot of money on rehabilitating their dogs if they’re injured.

Veterinarians Stuart and Caroline are part of a team of three helping to spearhead the newly launched Wallago Dogs, a learning programme that includes a free set of resources for veterinary practices. They, together with Elanco technical veterinarian Kirstie Inglis, who’s also an animal wellbeing representative for the company, developed the resources.

The aim of Wallago Dogs is to enthuse clinics to improve the services they offer their farm dog clients. Ideally clinics will designate ‘Wallago Champions’ – staff who drive proactive farm dog health initiatives including annual health checks, recording and following up on examination findings and advising on kennel set-ups. The programme is bankrolled by Elanco but clinics don’t have to buy in or use their products.

“I wanted to spread enthusiasm and information, and reignite conversations nationwide about proactive working dog health,” says Kirstie.

Wallago Dogs includes a learning module from Stuart hosted on VetSpace, which explains how to get the most out of the all-important farm visits, such as by checking that all dogs are on worming and flea treatment programmes, and getting monthly sheep measles treatment if appropriate. Other things to look out for include poor teeth, tumours that can be removed at a small size (rather than waiting until they are big), and arthritis.

Stuart says that by going onto farms veterinarians see the dogs’ environments

VetScript November 2020 – 33

COVER STORY

and gain a good understanding of their situations. The visits also offer farmers peace of mind by releasing some of their responsibility for dog care.

Wallago Dogs also offers tear-off examination pads for veterinarians and veterinary nurses (see page 35), designed with easy tick boxes and diagrams. The pads are also provided as a digital version so clinics can tweak them to, for example, include the clinic’s logo or vaccination schedule. There’s also newsletter articles on arthritis, ectoparasites and worming; a video starring a farmer who loves his dogs; and the winner of a ‘Pimp My Kennel’ competition.

Kirstie, whose interest in New Zealand farm dogs was sparked some 15 years ago, says one of the big pushes for creating Wallago Dogs was wanting to give the dogs the healthcare they deserve.

Working in a veterinary practice, she and colleagues used to do annual dog runs, where in three days they would vaccinate as many dogs as possible.

34 – VetScript November 2020

“I WANTED TO SPREAD ENTHUSIASM AND INFORMATION, AND REIGNITE CONVERSATIONS NATIONWIDE ABOUT PROACTIVE WORKING DOG HEALTH”

While she laments that they didn’t have enough time to examine the dogs properly, she notes that many practices are now doing a good job in providing farm dog healthcare.

“If a veterinary practice were to send a dog expert to a farm, rather than a farm veterinarian who normally doesn’t treat dogs, and they did a nose-

to-tail exam (as they would with a pet dog), they could pick up and foresee health problems a lot better than they would through the frantic ‘let’s cram all the dog vaccinations in the area into three days’,” Kirstie says.

Stuart and Caroline describe Wallago Dogs as a channel for sharing their intellectual property. In their own ways they’ve been following similar programmes for several decades, but they’ve never given it a formal name. Caroline says the initial focus was on vaccinating dogs and trying to get herd immunity, but it has expanded to improving overall animal health.

“We’re giving veterinarians a push,” says Caroline. “Wallago Dogs is a good thing for practices, clients and animals, and gets veterinarians out on farms offering a value-added service.”

Stuart says the resources are mainly aimed at practices that have not yet developed farm dog health programmes, giving them the tools and confidence to get started. He likens a thorough clinical examination to a car’s warrant of fitness check; it will pick up preventable problems.

“Farmers benefit from Wallago Dogs because they can extend their dogs’ working lives by dealing with problems before they develop. And practices benefit through earning income from follow-up procedures. It’s a win-win.”

For Kirstie, Wallago Dogs isn’t just about dogs; it’s also about veterinarians.

“I’d love to see more cooperation between clinics, and people being generous with their expertise. It could lead to greater job satisfaction for veterinarians and veterinary nurses through their getting to know farmers and their dogs better.”

The Wallago Dogs learning modules are available at www.vetspace.nz.

For more information about the programme, email animalhealth_nz@ elancoah.com.

IMAGERY: SUPPLIED

NEWS COVER AND STORY VIEWS

The examination report provided as part of Wallago Dogs guides veterinarians and veterinary nurses through a top-to-tail farm dog health assessment.

VetScript November 2020 – 35

NEWS ONEAND HEALTH VIEWS

GLOBAL WORMING Abi Chase, a veterinarian at Boehringer Ingelheim with a PhD in parasitology, suggests we take a closer look at Toxocara and public health.

I HAVE A snow globe on my desk filled with ticks. That may sound disgusting, but it’s pretty fascinating to stare at. In fact parasites in general are fascinating when you consider their complex lifecycles and characteristics that include

36 – VetScript November 2020

an ability to modify the behaviour of their hosts.

That said, my admiration for parasites was recently called into question when I reviewed an article on Toxocara species. It made me go home, worm

all the animals in my house, research medication for my children (not advised – this was done in panic) and start picking up poo left by other people’s dogs. Here’s why.

ONE HEALTH – THE VETERINARIAN’S ROLE IN PUBLIC HEALTH Research in the past few years has investigated the associations between human toxocariasis, caused by the dog and cat parasites Toxocara canis/ cati, and a variety of human diseases – and leading parasitologists are now recommending more regular deworming to protect public health (Pennelegion et al., 2020). As veterinarians and veterinary nurses can have a significant influence on preventing this disease by advising appropriate deworming and

ONE HEALTH

reducing environmental contamination, it’s extremely important that we’re aware of emerging research and recommendations in this field.

HUMAN TOXOCARIASIS Human toxocariasis (HT) is a significantly underdiagnosed public health issue around the world (Rostami et al., 2019).

It can cause a wide range of diseases, from childhood asthma (Momen et al., 2018), urticaria (Vinas et al., 2020) and neuropsychiatric disorders (Fan, 2020) to decreased cognitive function in children and young adults (Walsh and Haseeb, 2012; Erickson et al., 2015). However, HT is rarely on a differential list, particularly when clinical signs in children are as nondescript as fever, abdominal pain, nausea and wheezing, and therefore it’s rarely diagnosed (Ma et al., 2018).

As a clinical veterinarian, I have to admit I only gave Toxocara a thought in pregnant bitches and puppies. I knew

about larval migrans in the eyes of children, but understood this was so rare that it warranted limited concern. But as I’ve now discovered, research shows a wide range of syndromes are caused by Toxocara larvae.

Humans become infected by ingesting eggs or infective larvae, for example through eating raw meat or children eating soil. Larvae penetrate the intestinal wall and are transported to different tissues through the bloodstream (Strube et al., 2013). The persistence of larvae in the brain, eye, liver and muscle can cause a broad range of clinical symptoms that occur most often in children (Despommier, 2003). There are four distinct syndromes, and these are described in Table 1.

PREVALENCE Humans Before you panic, consider the prevalence of HT and the relative risk of infection.

Research has estimated the worldwide prevalence of HT in healthy humans at 19%; this has increased non-significantly in the past few decades and varies widely between countries (Rostami et al., 2019).

Table 2 summarises the seroprevalence data in New Zealand, with these studies linking higher seropositivity among people with rural location, age, ethnicity, myalgic encephalomyelitis, recent pregnancy and close regular contact with dogs. Numerous screening studies have also found higher seroprevalence in certain populations, such as asthmatic children (Momen et al., 2018) and farmers (Deutz et al., 2005; Strube et al., 2020).

The small number of veterinarians sampled in Christchurch in 1988 did not have a significantly higher seroprevalence than the general population. However, in Austria two percent of apparently healthy individuals were seropositive, compared to 27% (37/137) of veterinarians (Deutz et al., 2005).

Toxocara canis in a dog intestine.

PHOTOGRAPHY: BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM

VetScript November 2020 – 37

NEWS AND VIEWS

Toxocara canis in a dog intestine.

Dogs and cats The most commonly used tool for estimating prevalence in dogs and cats is coproscopy (the analysis of stool samples).

In a recent review and meta-analysis of published studies on Toxocara spp., dogs were found to have a global prevalence of 11.1% (Rostami et al., 2020). However, the prevalence was lower in older, healthy animals.

A Dutch study that sampled adult pet dogs monthly for a median of 14 months found prevalence to be 4.5%, with 32.1% of the dogs shedding eggs in

faeces at least once during that period (Nijsse et al., 2016).

Studies in New Zealand show a nine percent prevalence in working dogs in the central North Island (O’Connell et al., 2019) and Hawke’s Bay (Matthews, 2016).

In a 2015 survey, one pet dog (17 years old) from 36 tested (three percent) was positive, as were three pet cats (two under one year old, one unknown) from 31 tested (9.7%) (Woollett et al., 2016).

Dogs are more often implicated in HT than other animals, but we can’t dismiss the role of the domestic cat. A recent

survey of public spaces in New York showed Toxocara cati as the predominant Toxocara spp., leading the authors to conclude that feral or untreated cats represent a significant source of environmental contamination (Tyungu et al., 2020).

IS IT TIME TO UPDATE THE TREATMENT ADVICE WE GIVE? It’s extremely easy to treat Toxocara, with choices including tasty chews for dogs and spot-on products for cats. Given that the prepatent period of Toxocara spp. is

TABLE 1:

The four syndromes seen in human toxocariasis. A review of the clinical syndromes was published in The Lancet in 2018 (Ma et al., 2018).

Visceral larval migrans

Covert/common toxocariasis

Ocular larval migrans

Neural larval migrans

Most common syndrome in infected people, particularly children under 10.

Challenging syndromes to diagnose clinically because of nonspecific symptoms.

Rare but most commonly reported in children 3-16 years.

Rare in midle-aged people but emerging evidence of developmental effects in children.

Coughing, wheezing, myalgia and eczema. Additionally, long-term effects such as the development of asthma and promotion of pulmonary fibrosis.

Children: fever, anorexia, headache, wheezing, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, sleepiness and behavioural disorders, pulmonary symptoms, limb pain, cervical lymphadenitis and hepatomegaly.

Adults: weakness, pruritus, rash, pulmonary dysfunction, pulonary insufficiency and abdominal pain.

Immune response to migrating or dead larvae causes visual impairment.

Fever and headache. Possible associations with seizures, schizophrenia, cognitive deficits, idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Cognitive or developmental delays (eg, reduced reading or working memory ability) in children who become infected is concerning.

38 – VetScript November 2020

ONE HEALTH

TABLE 2:

Summary of Toxocara spp. prevalence studies in humans in New Zealand. When prevalence is reported in the human population, it is estimated by the presence of antiToxocara spp. antibodies in serum.

Group

% antiToxocara antibodies

Number

Median age and/or range

1984. Hydatid Control Officers’ Annual Conference. Study undertaken by Christchurch School of Medicine (Clemett et al., 1985) Hydatid control officers

25.6%

90

43 (21-66)

1985. Hydatid Control Officers’ Annual Conference. Study undertaken by Christchurch School of Medicine (Clemett et al., 1985) Hydatid control officers

28.4%

102

43 (20-67)

1987. Veterinarian samples taken from a Christchurch NZVA regional network meeting. Dog owners and breeders sampled at the 1986 Kennel Club Centennial Show. Study undertaken by Christchurch School of Medicine (Clemett et al., 1987) Urban adult blood donors (Christchurch)

2.8%

318

34.1 (17-61)

Urban student blood donors (Christchurch)

3.4%

119

16.4 (16-18)

Rural blood donors (Canterbury)

7%

187

33.9 (16-59)

Rural student donors (Canterbury)

3.1%

33

16.8 (16-19)

Veterinarians (Christchurch)

5.6%

18

40 (27-66)

Dog breeders/exhibitors

13.9%

79

41 (11-66)

1988. Sera collected from urban and rural areas. Study undertaken by Christchurch School of Medicine (Williamson et al., 1988) Cord blood (neonates)

1%

88

1 day

Postpartum mothers

33%

75

No data

Myalgic encephalomyelitis patients

25%

79

No data

Rural Māori children (Kāeo)

51%

49

11-14

Rural European children (Kāeo)

30%

44

11-14

Urban Māori children (Whāngarēi)

43%

40

14-16

Urban European children (Whāngarēi)

15%

41

14-16

Urban Māori children (Ōtara)

31%

26

14-15

Urban European children (Ōtara)

22%

9

14-15

Urban Pacific Islander children (Ōtara)

31%

26

14-15

Rural European children (East Coast)

44%

25

7-12

Rural Māori children (East Coast)

83%

87

9-12

2007. 82 rural and 58 urban blood donors in Waikato. Study undertaken by Waikato Hospital (Zarkovic et al., 2007) Adult blood donors (Waikato)

0.7%

140

43 (17-69)

just over a month, worming monthly is the best way to minimise egg shedding in animals. However, the common advice to worm every three months has been around for decades, and it appears veterinarians are reluctant to update it based on two main objections:

1.

Toxocara spp. have low prevalence

2.

in adult animals and cause little to no clinical disease.

Over-medication could cause resistance.

The fact that infection in adults is less common than it is in juveniles should be weighed against the comparatively large ratio of adults to puppies and kittens; this means adults account for a significant proportion of eggs entering the environment (Morgan et al., 2013). In addition, unnecessary drug exposure and resistance should always be considered when prescribing prophylaxis, but not at the expense of minimising zoonotic risk and safeguarding children’s health (Pennelegion et al., 2020).

Veterinarians’ worries about resistance development (eg, Matthews, 2016) are understandable when we look at production animals. Production animals are in closed environments where those animals that shed eggs are all treated at the same time. Therefore the only contamination on pasture would be from resistant parasites that survived treatment. The epidemiology for pets is very different. Parasites of dogs and cats have large natural reservoirs of infection (refugia) (Pennelegion et al., 2020) that are not exposed to dewormers, such as birds, rodents and feral cats, and of course the numerous pet owners who are actively providing refugia for us (they probably use a neighbouring practice).

Given this, an argument for not treating monthly to reduce the risk of resistance development doesn’t make sense. We would be deliberately withholding treatment and allowing zoonotic worm eggs to be shed into the

VetScript November 2020 – 39

ONE HEALTH

…THERE’S LOTS OF EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT INGESTING SMALL NUMBERS OF ALL SORTS OF ALLERGENS AND MICROBES PREVENTS SOME AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES. TOXOCARA IS NOT ONE OF THOSE.

environment – a practice that’s difficult to justify on public health grounds.

In addition, treating animals that don’t have infections poses no risk of anthelmintic resistance development, and there are no reports worldwide of resistance in Toxocara spp. (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites, 2020).

titled Toxocara Canis: How safe is that sandpit?. It can be viewed online at https://players.brightcove. net/4309680634001/default_default/ index.html?videoId=6190828965001.

Since this video is from the UK, veterinarians in New Zealand should use professional discretion if applying it here.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS The European Scientific Counsel for Companion Animal Parasites provides research-based, independent advice to veterinarians and pet owners. It recommends that adult dogs and cats who go outside be wormed four times a year, and monthly if they: » are fed raw meat » are working or therapy dogs » are in contact with children under five years (that includes if dogs or cats go near areas where children play such as playgrounds or sandboxes) » live with individuals who are immunocompromised.

I’ve always been in the ‘let kids eat soil’ camp, and there’s lots of evidence to suggest that ingesting small numbers of all sorts of allergens and microbes prevents some autoimmune diseases. Toxocara is not one of those.

Veterinarians have an important role in protecting public health as well as animal health and there are many ways to reduce environmental contamination from Toxocara.

For readers wanting more information, a good resource is a webinar by Eric Morgan, a Professor of Veterinary Parasitology at Queen’s University Belfast. The webinar is aptly

REFERENCES:

40 – VetScript November 2020

Clemett RS, Hidajat RR, Allardyce RA, Stewart AC. Toxocaral infection in hydatid control officers: Diagnosis by enzyme immunoassay. The New Zealand Medical Journal 98, 737–9, 1985 Clemett RS, Williamson HJ, Hidajat RR, Allardyce RA, Stewart AC. Ocular Toxocara canis infections: Diagnosis by enzyme immunoassay. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Ophthalmology 15, 145–50, 1987 Despommier D. Toxocariasis: Clinical aspects, epidemiology, medical ecology, and molecular aspects.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews 16, 265–72, 2003 Deutz A, Fuchs K, Auer H, Kerbl U, Aspöck H, Köfer J. Toxocara-infestations in Austria: A study on the risk of infection of farmers, slaughterhouse staff, hunters and veterinarians. Parasitology Research 97, 390–4, 2005 Erickson LD, Gale SD, Berrett A, Brown BL, Hedges DW. Association between toxocariasis and cognitive function in young to middle-aged adults.

Folia Parasitologica 62, 2015 European Scientific Counsel for Companion Animal Parasites. Guideline 01 Sixth Edition: Worm Control in Dogs and Cats. www.esccap.org/uploads/docs/ qjyqgckk_0778_ESCCAP_Guideline_GL1_v12_1p. pdf Jul 2020

Momen T, Esmaeil N, Reisi M. Seroprevalence of Toxocara canis in asthmatic children and its relation to the severity of diseases: A case-control study. Medical Archives 72, 174–7, 2018 Morgan ER, Azam D, Pegler K. Quantifying sources of environmental contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs. Veterinary Parasitology 193, 390–7, 2013 Nijsse R, Mughini-Gras L, Wagenaar JA, Ploeger HM. Recurrent patent infections with Toxocara canis in household dogs older than six months: a prospective study. Parasites Vectors 9, 531, 2016 O’Connell A, Scott I, Cogger N, Jones BR, Hill KE. Parasitic nematode and protozoa status of working sheepdogs on the North Island of New Zealand.

Animals (Basel) 9, 2019 Pennelegion C, Drake J, Wiseman S, Wright I. Survey of UK pet owners quantifying internal parasite infection risk and deworming recommendation implications. Parasites & Vectors 13, 218, 2020 Rostami A, Riahi SM, Hofmann A, Ma G, Wang T, Behniafar H, Taghipour A, Fakhri Y, Spotin A, Chang BCH, et al. Global prevalence of Toxocara infection in dogs. Advances in Parasitology 109, 561–83, 2020 Rostami A, Riahi SM, Holland CV, Taghipour A, Khalili-Fomeshi M, Fakhri Y, Omrani VF, Hotez PJ, Gasser RB. Seroprevalence estimates for toxocariasis in people worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 13, e0007809, 2019 Strube C, Heuer L, Janecek E. Toxocara spp. infections in paratenic hosts. Veterinary Parasitology 193, 375–89, 2013 Strube C, Raulf MK, Springer A, Waindok P, Auer H. Seroprevalence of human toxocarosis in Europe: A review and meta-analysis. Advances in Parasitology 109, 375–418, 2020 Tyungu DL, McCormick D, Lau CL, Chang M, Murphy JR, Hotez PJ, Mejia R, Pollack H. Toxocara species environmental contamination of public spaces in New York City. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14, e0008249, 2020 Vinas M, Postigo I, Sunen E, Martinez J. Urticaria and silent parasitism by Ascaridoidea: Componentresolved diagnosis reinforces the significance of this association. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14, e0008177, 2020 Walsh MG, Haseeb MA. Reduced cognitive function in children with toxocariasis in a nationally representative sample of the United States.

International Journal for Parasitology 42, 1159–63, 2012

Fan CK. Pathogenesis of cerebral toxocariasis and neurodegenerative diseases. Advances in Parasitology 109, 233–59, 2020

Williamson HJE, Allardyce RA, Clemett RS, Hidajat, RR. Toxocara canis: Public health significance and experimental studies. Surveillance 15(2), 19–22, 1988

Ma G, Holland CV, Wang T, Hofmann A, Fan CK, Maizels RM, Hotez PJ, Gasser RB. Human toxocariasis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 18, e14–24, 2018

Woollett B, Forsyth M, Beugnet F. Survey of fleas, ticks and gastrointestinal helminths in cats and dogs in New Zealand. Companion Animal Society of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, 2016

Matthews M. Survey of nematode parasites of farm working dogs in Hawke’s Bay. The Society of Sheep and Beef Cattle Veterinarians of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, 2016

Zarkovic A, McMurray C, Deva N, Ghosh S, Whitley D, Guest S. Seropositivity rates for Bartonella henselae, Toxocara canis and Toxoplasma gondii in New Zealand blood donors. Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology 35, 131–4, 2007

g n i t n Hu

Kiwi cats love to chase and hunt rodents, birds and other small wild prey that are known to host parasitic worms, including tapeworms.

g n i m Groo

When grooming, cats ingest anywhere between 18-50% of their fleas. Fleas are intermediate hosts for the tapeworm.

Cats can be infected with this tapeworm by flea ingestion while grooming.

g n i m Roa Adventures around the neighbourhood, in gardens, local parks, public places where other animals expose kiwi cats to fleas and worms, all year round.

Kiwi cats are outdoor cats - their adventurous behaviour constantly puts them at risk of more parasites.

Choose the spot-on treatment that’s tough on fleas, ticks and worms. Not on cats.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health New Zealand Limited. Level 3, 2 Osterley Way, Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand. BROADLINE® is a registered trademark of the Boehringer Ingelheim Group.

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 | No. A010901 | ©Copyright 2020 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health New Zealand Limited. All rights reserved. NZ-FEL-0025-2020.

CASE STUDY

EQUINE ENTERIC CORONAVIRUS

IN A CANTERBURY PONY

A case study by JoAnna Faircloth, formerly of Canterbury Equine Clinic, covers the signs, diagnosis and treatment of equine coronavirus in a gelded pony.

INTRODUCTION Horses who present with cases of anorexia and concurrent pyrexia without mild signs of abdominal discomfort have been annually documented during the cooler months in Canterbury. These cases have largely been described as mild and self-limiting, and have typically resolved without definitive diagnoses.

In recent years these cases have been the topic of discussion, and horses with these conditions are now routinely tested in the Canterbury region to screen for equine coronavirus.

CASE HISTORY In July 2019 a 16-year-old, mixed-breed gelded pony was attended to in the field for sudden onset of inappetence and lethargy. The pony had participated in a local competition three days before presentation and a dentist had performed a routine dental check without sedation approximately two days later. There was no recent history of antimicrobial or antiinflammatory administration. The owner had not noted any signs of abdominal discomfort, and all manure in the vicinity was well formed.

CLINICAL FINDINGS On presentation the pony was dull and standing off on his own, facing away from feed but was in ideal condition

42 – VetScript November 2020

(body condition score 4/9). An examination detected a heart rate of 50 beats per minute, a temperature of 39.6˚C and very decreased gastrointestinal sounds. Other findings were unremarkable. The pony was subsequently isolated from other horses on the property and administered a 0.5mg/kg dose of flunixin IV, and blood was collected for screening.

Notable bloodwork abnormalities included profound leukopenia of 2.1 x 109/L with a left shift and lymphopenia indicating severe, acute inflammatory demand. A very mild hypomagnesaemia and hypochloraemia were also noted. All other results of the initial blood sample were unremarkable.

On being told of the bloodwork findings, the owner revealed that the pony had since stretched out as if to urinate three times, flank watched twice, and been standing close to the water trough. Haematological findings and emerging signs of abdominal discomfort placed impending colitis in the top differential diagnoses. The owner was left to administer flunixin oral paste and an electrolyte paste while monitoring the pony overnight.

Approximately 48 hours after the original presentation, the pony developed profound ataxia despite improvements in other clinical signs (heart rate of 46 beats per minute, temperature 36.9˚C).

Although no diarrhoea had yet been noted, a faecal culture swab was taken and sent to SVS Laboratories for processing. An intravenous bolus of 8L Hartmann’s solution was commenced while new bloodwork was processed.

A nasogastric tube was passed but no net reflux was obtained, and 250ml of lactulose was administered along with 6L of water with electrolytes. Dimethyl sulfoxide was administered intravenously (1.0g/kg every 24 hours).

The second blood sample indicated persistent leukopenia, moderately increased alkaline phosphatase and electrolyte derangements (all mildly to moderately decreased), despite adequate hydration parameters and no outward fluid losses through diarrhoea or reflux.

The ataxia was suspected to have been caused by hyperammonaemia secondary to disruption of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier, although severe or sudden electrolyte derangements can also be responsible for encephalopathic signs.

Unfortunately, hyperammonaemia could not be confirmed in this case as the test for blood ammonia level was unavailable on the weekend. The ataxia improved slowly and resolved within 30 hours of initiating fluid therapy of twice-daily IV boluses of 8L Hartmann’s solution per 400kg bodyweight and oral lactulose. The pony’s mucous membranes became injected with a brick-red appearance in the third and fourth days of treatment. The owner noted two small piles of manure that were cow pat consistency in the pony’s pen; this was the only evidence of non-formed manure during the case management.

Supportive care consisting of sucralfate (20mg/kg orally, three times a day), lactulose (100ml orally, two to three times a day), oral flunixin paste (0.5mg/kg every 12 hours) and oral electrolyte paste (15ml every 12 hours) was continued for three days, with decreasing amounts of intravenous fluids supplemented with electrolytes as needed and bolused once or twice daily as dictated by daily blood results. The pony also received metronidazole (20mg/kg orally, every 12 hours) for the first three

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

CASE STUDY

days of treatment, due to the original findings of profound leukopenia and development of clinical signs congruent with hyperammonaemia. Due to a lack of available isolation facilities, the pony was managed in the field.

DIAGNOSIS The faecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result was positive for equine coronavirus (ECoV). Other enteric pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Clostridium difficile and C. perfringens were not detected in the sample. Clinical signs in this case can be closely compared to moderate-to-severe cases of ECoV reported overseas.

CONTINUED TREATMENT AND FOLLOW-UP On receipt of the faecal PCR result supporting ECoV diagnosis, and

CLINICAL SIGNS IN THIS CASE CAN BE CLOSELY COMPARED TO MODERATE-TOSEVERE CASES OF ECOV REPORTED OVERSEAS.

confirmation of an improved leukogram on the fourth day of treatment, antimicrobial therapy was discontinued.

By the sixth day of treatment the pony’s vital signs and appetite had returned to normal and bloodwork findings were unremarkable. All medications were discontinued aside from sucralfate, which

was continued orally every 12 hours for another seven days after resolution of clinical signs. The pony was given two months of reduced exercise before returning to ridden work, and has since competed successfully (see image above).

DISCUSSION The most common clinical signs in documented cases of ECoV include pyrexia, inappetence and lethargy, as seen in the early stages of this case (Nemoto et al., 2014; Pusterla et al., 2018; Berryhill et al., 2019). Haematological findings often, but not always, include lymphopenia and neutropenia (Berryhill et al., 2019).

Primary clinical signs may be quickly followed by enteric signs such as colic, transient diarrhoea or loose manure and, rarely, more severe clinical presentations associated with loss of barrier function

VetScript November 2020 – 43

CASE STUDY

in the intestinal mucosa (Pusterla et al., 2018; Mattei, et al., 2020).

While the clinical morbidity of ECoV has been documented to reach up to 83%, mortality is low (Pusterla et al., 2018).

The route of transmission for ECoV is faecal-oral (Mattei et al., 2020; Pusterla et al., 2018; Fielding et al., 2015). Most cases are mild and self-limiting, but a proportion require intensive care with supportive treatments (Goodrich et al., 2020).

ECoV is more frequently diagnosed during winter months and is thought to survive for longer in cooler temperatures (Pusterla et al., 2018). However, some cases have been documented in warmer seasons (Mattei et al., 2020). Faecal samples from two horses with anorexia, pyrexia and mildly loose manure tested positive for ECoV in Canterbury in March 2020, while ambient temperatures were still reaching 20–22˚C daily, possibly demonstrating the adaptability of this virus in New Zealand.

Antibiotics are rarely necessary or effective for the treatment of viral enteric disease. In the case described here, the suspected breakdown in gastrointestinal mucosal barrier and concurrent, profound leukopenia led to the decision to treat with metronidazole while awaiting culture results. Metronidazole has been shown to be effective in decreasing the enteric production of ammonia and has anti-inflammatory properties (Orsini and Divers, 2008).

Dimethyl sulfoxide was administered intravenously due its reported antiinflammatory and reactive oxygen radical scavenging properties that may reduce cellular damage (Sprayberry and Robinson, 2008). Lactulose (non-absorbable disaccharide) was administered in an effort to achieve ionisation and reduce the absorption of ammonia into the bloodstream (Sprayberry and Robinson, 2008). The progression of ECoV infection to necrotising enteritis, septicaemia, endotoxaemia and hyperammonaemiaassociated encephalopathy, as was suspected in this case, has been reported but is uncommon (Pusterla et al., 2018; Berryhill et al., 2019).

44 – VetScript November 2020

ECoV PCR testing is currently available in several laboratories in New Zealand.

The timing of faecal swabbing for PCR is important, as faecal shedding is often delayed until 24 hours after pyrexia is evident (Nemoto et al., 2014). ECoV has been historically detected in faeces for three to 11 days after the onset of clinical signs. This has been used to guide the duration of isolation and biosecurity measures (Fielding et al., 2015).

In this case the owner was advised to maintain the pony’s isolation from other equids and continue biosecurity measures for 21 days after the resolution of clinical signs. However, in recent studies, beta coronavirus has been detected by PCR in faeces of asymptomatic carriers up to 25 days after initial detection during outbreak surveillance testing (Goodrich et al., 2020). The role of asymptomatic carriers in perpetuating outbreaks of ECoV, and the ability of humans to act as fomites in transfers of the virus may have been previously underestimated and deserves consideration when approaching cases of suspected ECoV. As with all infectious and contagious diseases, biosecurity recommendations should be aimed at reducing the spread of an agent throughout the affected premises and on to other properties. Current recommendations pertinent to the control of ECoV transmission emphasise the need to: use footbaths and personal protective equipment; clean with disinfectants any shared facilities and transportation vehicles; allocate equipment for the collection and disposal of manure and bedding from cases; and, ideally, test other equids on the property to identify asymptomatic shedders (Pusterla et al., 2018; Goodrich et al., 2020).

Equine coronavirus should be included as a differential for cases of anorexia, lethargy and pyrexia in adult horses in New Zealand, as isolated cases or as clusters of cases. Most cases resolve quickly with minimal supportive care, but infected individuals can continue to shed the virus in faeces for several weeks after clinical resolution. Testing suspected cases via faecal swabs could provide more insights into the prevalence of this disease in New Zealand and help to reduce the occurrence of outbreaks.

REFERENCES: Berryhill EH, Magdesian KG, Aleman M, Pusterla N. Clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, and outcome of adult horses with equine coronavirus infection at a veterinary teaching hospital: 33 cases (2012–2018). Veterinary Journal 248, 95–100, 2019 Fielding CL, Higgins JK, Higgins JC, McIntosh S, Scott E, Giannitti F, Mete A, Pusterla N. Disease associated with equine coronavirus infection and high case fatality rate. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 29(1), 307–10, 2015 Goodrich EL, Mittel LD, Glaser A, Ness SL, Radcliffe RM, Divers TJ. Novel findings from a beta coronavirus outbreak on an American Miniature Horse breeding farm in upstate New York. Equine Veterinary Education 32(3), 150–4, 2020 Mattei DN, Kopper JJ, Sanz MG. Equine coronavirus-associated colitis in horses: A retrospective study. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 87, 102906, 2020 Nemoto M, Oue Y, Morita Y, Kanno T, Kinoshita Y, Niwa H, Ueno T, Katayama Y, Bannai H, Tsujimura K et al. Experimental inoculation of equine coronavirus into Japanese draft horses. Archives of Virology 159(12), 3329–34, 2014 Orsini JA, Divers TJ. Equine Emergencies: Treatment and Procedures. 3rd Edtn. P 246. Saunders, St Louis, Missouri, USA. 2008 Pusterla N, Vin R, Leutenegger CM, Mittel LD, Divers, TJ. Enteric coronavirus infection in adult horses. Veterinary Journal 231, 13–8, 2018 Sprayberry K, Robinson NE. Current Therapy in Equine Medicine, 6th Edtn. P 675. Saunders, St Louis, Missouri, USA. 2008

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author would like to acknowledge Harriet Bell and Shaan Mocke, who helped with treating the pony. This article was originally published in the June 2020 issue of the Equine Veterinary Practitioner and has been edited for publication in VetScript.

Access to all Equine Veterinary Practitioner articles can be obtained by joining the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association at www.nzva.org.nz/members/ my_groups.asp?DGPCrPg=1&DGPCrSrt=4A.

The Veterinary Dental Company

NEWS AND VIEWS

THE TANGLED WEB of leave Fiona Mines, HealthyPractice advisor at MAS, delves into the complex legal obligations behind holiday, annual and other leave.

AS WE EMERGE from winter and look forward to longer days and warmer weather, many people are planning their summer holidays and working out how much annual leave they’ll need.

Their plans are likely to be more important than ever this year, given the stress and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown and other restrictions might have forced them to abandon holidays booked for earlier in the year, and everyone could use a break.

But what exactly are the rules and regulations relating to annual leave?

46 – VetScript November 2020

How much are employees entitled to; how does it accrue; and as an employer, what are your obligations?

The employment agreements you’ve signed with your team should outline their annual leave entitlements. By law they’re entitled to a minimum of four weeks’ leave after they’ve been employed continuously for 12 months. Note that a ‘week’ is defined as an employee’s ordinary working week – so an employee who works three days a week is entitled to four weeks’ holiday of three days each, or 12 days a year.

Most employers allow new employees to take leave as it accrues during the first 12 months. However, be careful about allowing an employee to take significantly more leave than they have accrued, as you could be left out of pocket if they decide to quit. It’s a good idea to have a signed agreement between you and the employee that allows you to deduct any leave taken in advance from their final pay.

The rules on holiday pay can be complex, and even large organisations can get them wrong. In recent years some of New Zealand’s highest-profile employers – including the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Restaurant Brands, New Zealand Police and Bunnings – have miscalculated holiday pay entitlements for their employees.

If you have permanent employees, you’re obliged to pay them holiday pay either at their ordinary pay rate or based on their average weekly earnings in the previous 12 months – whichever rate is higher.

For casual employees or people employed for a fixed term of less than 12 months, you may pay holiday pay as part

IMAGERY: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

IN THE WORKPLACE

of their regular pay at a minimum rate of eight percent of their gross earnings.

Slightly different rules apply to an employee returning from parental leave for the first 12 months after their return to work. Rather than being paid at their ordinary pay at the time they take leave, their holiday pay is calculated at the rate of their average weekly earnings in the 12 months immediately before their leave is taken. As their average weekly earnings includes a period of unpaid parental leave, their holiday pay is less than their ordinary pay, unless the employer chooses to pay their higher ordinary pay.

It can be challenging to calculate annual leave and holiday pay entitlements for new parents and employees with irregular or changing work patterns. We suggest you visit the Employment New Zealand

HealthyPractice If you own or manage a veterinary practice, MAS’s HealthyPractice online business support service has been designed especially for you. It provides information and templates on all areas of employment and management – all backed by MAS’s business hours’ advice and support. Visit www.healthypractice.co.nz to find out more or call the MAS HealthyPractice team on 0800 800 627 for a free trial and website tutorial.

website (www.employment.govt.nz/ leave-and-holidays) for help.

It’s also important to have a clear process for annual leave applications – especially for popular holiday periods such as Christmas, New Year and Easter, when you may have to balance competing leave requests with minimum staffing requirements. Make sure you have a clear leave policy and application process so that everyone is treated fairly.

If you have any questions on leave or other aspects of running your business, feel free to call the HealthyPractice team on 0800 800 627 or email business@mas.co.nz.

This article is of a general nature and is not a substitute for professional and individually tailored business or legal advice. © Medical Assurance Society New Zealand Limited 2020.

IN THE LAB

1 Where did the white cells go?

Genevieve D’Amours, from SVS Laboratories, Ian Millward, from Veterinary Referral Services and Sara Bruce, from Cambridge Pet Vets consider the case of a cat with a severe and persistent neutropenia.

STARSKY, A 13-YEAR-OLD male domestic short-hair cat, was taken to his veterinarian because of weight loss in the previous two or three months. He was tachycardic and hyperthyroidism was suspected.

On serum biochemistry there was a mild increase in globulins at 53g/L (reference range 27–49) and the alkaline phosphatase was mildly elevated at 114U/L (reference range 0–85), but the T4 was normal at 22nmol/L (reference range 20–40). Haematology showed a

48 – VetScript November 2020

severe neutropenia, with neutrophils at 0.2 x109/L (reference range 1.5–10.8) with no left shift. There was no anaemia or thrombocytopenia. A week later, the neutropenia was still present at 0.4 x109/L. Chest radiographs indicated a 3cm x 6cm ovoid soft tissue mass in the cranial mediastinum, extending from the second to the fifth rib, with contact on the dorsal aspect of sternebrae 2–5 and causing border effacement of the cranial aspect of the cardiac silhouette. On ultrasonography the mass had soft tissue

FIGURE 1: Fine needle aspirate of mediastinal mass. Rafts of epithelial cells with pale cytoplasm and indistinct cell borders. Occasional small lymphocytes are present in the background. Mast cells were also present (not shown here).

echogenicity with some fluid pockets. An ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirate of the mass was taken.

On cytology there was a mixed population of cells consisting mainly of large rafts of poorly preserved epithelial cells. The cells had pale cytoplasm and indistinct cytoplasmic borders and ovoid nuclei with fine chromatin and single small nucleolus (Figure 1). Scattered throughout the rafts was a moderate number of heavily granulated mast cells.

Around the rafts of epithelial cells was a moderate number of small to medium lymphocytes with occasional large lymphocytes. There were also occasional large, foamy macrophages containing dark pigment and rare, plump, fusiform mesenchymal cells. Occasional cholesterol crystals were present in the background.

IMAGERY: SUPPLIED

IN THE LAB

2

This mixed cell population was highly suggestive of a mixed cell thymoma.

A median sternotomy was performed through sternebrae 2–5 and the soft tissue mass was identified in the mediastinum immediately cranial to the heart. The mass was packed with moist swabs then carefully dissected from the adjacent tissues through blunt dissection.

The mass was in contact with the cranial vena cava over approximately 2cm, but appeared to dissect free from the blood vessel wall. A number of small blood vessels were ligated and transected near the cranial end of the mass.

The mass was removed en bloc, and the thoracic cavity was thoroughly lavaged with warm saline solution. A fenestrated closed suction drain was placed through the sixth intercostal space and the mediastinum was closed routinely using three alternating figure-of-eight sutures using 22-gauge orthopaedic wires, 3-0 polydioxanone (PDS II, Ethicon) and 4-0 Nylon (Ethilon, Ethicon).

The patient was placed on morphine 0.2mg/kg every four hours, and a 12.5mcg transdermal fentanyl patch (Fentanyl,

FIGURES 2 AND 3: Mediastinal mass. Large islands of epithelial cells admixed with moderate numbers of lymphocytes with minimal supporting stroma.

Sandoz) was applied. Meloxicam 0.05mg/ kg orally (Meloxicam, Apex) was started post operatively and continued for 14 days.

The chest drain was removed 12 hours later, when the drainage volume was noted to reduce significantly to less than 5ml/kg/hour. Starsky was placed on soft foods only for seven days and cage

confinement for six to eight weeks. He recovered well from the surgery and was discharged 36 hours afterwards.

On histology the mass consisted of a well-demarcated, partially encapsulated neoplasm composed of large islands of polygonal epithelial cells admixed with a variable number of small lymphocytes,

3 VetScript November 2020 – 49

IN THE LAB

4 with the lymphocytic population representing approximately 25% of the mass (Figures 2 and 3). The epithelial cells had abundant pale eosinophilic cytoplasm and round-to-indented nuclei with prominent single central nucleoli. There was mild anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, and mitotic figures were rare. A moderate number of mast cells were scattered throughout the neoplasm (Figure 4).

There were several small to large cystic areas of necrosis containing numerous clear acicular cholesterol clefts, a large number of foamy macrophages and multinucleated giant cells. Occasional large lymphoid follicles were also present.

This confirmed a diagnosis of a benign thymoma. In all sections there were areas where the capsule was absent, with neoplastic cells extending to the tissue margins, so there is concern for a potential recurrence of the lesion.

It was suspected that the thymoma was the cause of Starsky’s neutropenia.

Thymomas have been recognised as a cause of many immune-mediated conditions, most notably myasthenia gravis in dogs and exfoliative dermatitis in cats (Atwater et al., 1994; Robat et al., 2013). In humans thymomas are the

50 – VetScript November 2020

neoplasms most commonly associated with paraneoplastic autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosus, bullous pemphigoid, dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, acquired red cell aplasia and other cytopenias (Shelly et al., 2011).

Autoimmune diseases develop because of a loss of self-tolerance. Precursor T cells are generated in the bone marrow, but they mature in the thymus through a process of maturation, differentiation and selection.

Positive and negative selection allows the survival of cells that recognise major histocompatibility complex molecules but eliminates autoreactive cells. It is assumed that thymic neoplasms allow for the maturation of autoreactive T cells, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. With epithelial thymomas this could occur due to the genetic mutation of the epithelial cells with subsequent changes in antigenic expression, while with lymphocytic thymomas it could occur through the escape of immature lymphocytes into circulation by avoiding passage through the medulla where maturation occurs.

Another theory is that abnormal T helper cells may activate B cells to produce autoantibodies (Shelly et al., 2011).

FIGURE 4: Neoplastic population of epithelial cells admixed with moderate numbers of small lymphocytes and mast cells.

While these autoimmune diseases can sometimes undergo remission following thymectomy, others can develop even after the tumour has been resected.

Starsky is doing quite well clinically but had a persistent neutropenia with neutrophils of 0.5 x109/L three weeks after surgery. We are hopeful that his neutrophils remain at a level sufficient to prevent illness and that the tumour will not recur.

REFERENCES: Atwater SW, Powers BE, Park RD, Straw RC, Ogilvie GK, Withrow SJ. Thymoma in dogs: 23 cases (1980–1991). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 205(7), 1007–13, 1994 Robat CS, Cesario L, Gaeta R, Miller M, Schrempp D, Chun R. Clinical features, treatment options, and outcome in dogs with thymoma: 116 cases (1999–2010). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 243(10), 1448–54, 2013 Shelly S, Agmon-Levin N, Altman A, Shoenfeld Y. Thymoma and autoimmunity. Cellular & Molecular Immunology 8(3), 199–202, 2011. doi:10.1038/ cmi.2010.74

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SCIENTISTS

NEWS IN THE ANDLAB VIEWS

Broad-ranging bacteria

From the benign to the deadly. Clinical pathologist Lisa Hulme-Moir, from Gribbles Veterinary Auckland, looks at the many forms and effects of listeriae.

LISTERIAE ARE A highly adaptable group of saprophytic bacteria that grow in a wide range of environmental locations. They primarily proliferate in decaying plant matter, but can also reside temporarily in animals’ gastrointestinal tracts, usually with few consequences. However two species, Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii, have evolved the ability to invade and replicate in animals’ cells, with potentially catastrophic effects. The following is a brief overview of the bacterial genus and the diseases the bacteria cause in New Zealand.

52 – VetScript November 2020

THE ORGANISM Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most intensively studied models of bacteria capable of living intracellularly and evading the body’s immune response (Freitag et al., 2009). The bacterium binds to the surface of cells such as enterocytes and uses their endocytic pathways for uptake.

Within the cell, Listeria escapes into the cytosol by lysing the membranes surrounding it. There it uses the host cell’s nutrients to replicate and hijacks the host’s cytoskeleton to create actin tails for motility. This actin machinery is also used

to push the bacteria into adjacent cells, enabling Listeria to travel long distances through and between cells without exiting to the extracellular environment.

Listeria is also taken up by macrophages and neutrophils, again escaping from the phagosome and evading these cells’ usual killing mechanisms. Inside the macrophage’s cytosol, the bacteria may be disseminated around the body as the macrophage traffics to various tissues.

As Listeria is an intracellular pathogen, innate immune responses and in particular cytotoxic T-cells are extremely important in the body’s response to listerial infection. Listeria is a potent stimulator of cytotoxic T-cells, which target and lyse infected cells, and much of what we know about cytotoxic T-cells has been derived from studies of L. monocytogenes in mice.

This ability to stimulate cytotoxic T-cells and act as a vehicle for intracellular processing of antigen has been harnessed to create anti-cancer vaccines. Currently there are a number of vaccines under development that use attenuated L. monocytogenes as a vector, including one for cervical cancer in humans and one for osteosarcoma in dogs.

SHEEP, CATTLE AND GOATS Ruminants are the most common species affected with listeriosis (Table 1), with encephalitis and abortion being the most frequent presentations. Enteritis also occurs and, less commonly, ocular keratoconjunctivitis (or ‘silage eye’) and neonatal septicaemia.

Listeriosis is generally a sporadic disease but outbreaks may occur, particularly in sheep. It is rare for different disease syndromes to present together, but cases of encephalitis in sheep have been observed several weeks after outbreaks of enteritis (Fairley, 2018). Deaths due to metritis or gastroenteritis may occur in ewes during abortion outbreaks (Gill, 1999).

Encephalitic listeriosis presents with the classic signs of ‘circling disease’ and cranial nerve deficits, due to lesions primarily centred on the brainstem

IMAGERY: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

IN THE LAB

(rhombencephalitis) (Cantile and Youssef, 2016). The bacteria gain access to the brainstem by travelling up the cranial nerve fibres from breaks in the oral mucosa or dental lesions, with disease resulting about three weeks later.

Rhombencephalitis is uncommon in non-ruminant species; in these animals listerial infections of the central nervous system are typically due to bloodborne spread and result in meningitis and meningoencephalitis (Schlech, 2019).

It is difficult to culture Listeria from cerebrospinal fluid or central nervous system tissue, but diagnosis can usually be obtained on histopathology as long as the brainstem and cranial spinal cord are available for examination.

Pregnant animals are particularly susceptible to listerial infection as their innate immune function is lowered. Abortions due to Listeria typically occur during the last trimester (Schlafer and Foster, 2016).

If close to term, the aborted foetus may survive but can succumb to septicaemia. Septicaemia may also occur one or two weeks after birth as a result of infection contracted

during the birthing process or in the immediate perinatal period.

Enteritis due to Listeria occurs in both sheep and cattle in New Zealand and clinically resembles salmonellosis (Clark et al., 2004; Fairley and Colson, 2013). Unlike the experience of encephalitic listeriosis, the incubation period is short – only a few days after exposure to a high number of organisms, and most often in spoiled silage. Care is needed when diagnosing listerial enteritis based on faecal culture.

Listeria are ubiquitous in the environment and are frequent temporary inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract.

This means a positive faecal culture result alone is not diagnostic; ideally it should be supported by appropriate lesions on histopathology or (if premortem) a close consideration of all the clinical data.

There have been occasional reports of keratoconjunctivitis in New Zealand.

The absence of corneal ulceration and its occurrence in the winter months at a time of feeding supplement help to distinguish this disease from other causes of pink-eye, which typically occurs in the summer months when flies are active.

TABLE 1:

Number of Listeria cases submitted to Gribbles Veterinary laboratories between 2010 and 2020 for large animals and exotic species.

Primary disease presentation Neurological

Abortion

Enteritis

Ocular

Septicaemia

Sheep

132

86

47

-

-

Cattle#

57

26

10

3

-

Goats

15

2

-

-

-

Alpacas

-

-

2

-

-

Horses

-

-

-

1

-

Other

-

1*

-

-

2**

# One case of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from mastitic milk * Cotton-top tamarin

Mastitis has been reported overseas, but Listeria is a rare isolate in mastitic milk in New Zealand (Table 1).

Listerial disease in sheep and cattle is strongly associated with the feeding of silage and baleage and therefore is often seen during late autumn, winter and early spring. A pH of 4–4.5 is most often recommended to inhibit the growth of Listeria in silage (Avila and Carvalho, 2019). However, recent research has shown that Listeria can grow at lower pH levels, particularly if oxygen is available or if the decline in pH has been slow. When investigating outbreaks of listeriosis, it is therefore important to consider not only the pH of the feed sample but also the degree of packing and the exclusion of air in the stacks or bales. Other factors to consider include whether the covering was broken during storage, the rate of feeding out once opened and the degree of soil and faecal contamination during the initial harvesting process.

Not all listeriosis cases are associated with silage feeding; the disease may also be seen in animals grazing pasture only. High stocking density or hard grazing during and after droughts are particular risk factors, as animals graze into the lower sward where Listeria may be proliferating in dead plant material. Listeria’s ability to grow in low temperatures may also be a factor in the winter, along with pasture flooding, inclement weather and concurrent disease placing stress on animals.

ALPACAS Only a few cases of listeriosis have been recorded in alpacas in New Zealand (Staples, 1997). These included abortions in imported hembra and two recent cases of enteritis, which displayed similar histopathologic changes to those seen in sheep and cattle. Overseas, encephalitic listeriosis and endocarditis have been reported in adult alpacas, and septicaemia and meningoencephalitis may be seen in neonatal crias.

** Bearded dragon and a marmoset

VetScript November 2020 – 53

IN THE LAB

HORSES As with other non-ruminant species, listerial infections in horses are uncommon. Occasional instances of abortion have been recorded in New Zealand, and recently Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from the eye of a horse with a chronic non-healing ulcer. Overseas, several papers have documented cases of listerial keratitis in horses, which were often poorly responsive to therapy and required prolonged/repeated treatment (Revold et al., 2015). Risk factors such as feeding haylage or silage were identified.

Encephalitis, neonatal septicaemia and one case of enteric listeriosis with an enlarged mass-like caecal lymph node have also been reported overseas (Lee and Mogg, 2016).

CATS AND DOGS Infections due to Listeria are generally very uncommon in dogs and cats.

However, in recent years a small number of cases of mesenteric lymphadenitis have been seen in New Zealand cats (Fluen et al., 2019). These cases have involved young to middle-aged cats presenting with anorexia, weight loss, mesenteric lymphadenopathy or abdominal masses. One case report of cellulitis due to L. monocytogenes on the foot of a cat following a tree weta bite has also been reported in New Zealand (Jones et al., 1984). Overseas, rare cases of encephalitis, septicaemia and pyoderma have been recorded in cats and dogs. The feeding of raw meat diets has been proposed as a risk factor for listerial disease.

PUBLIC HEALTH Approximately 0.6 cases of listeriosis per 100,000 people are seen each year in New Zealand, and it is one of the leading causes of death due to foodborne illness in first-world countries.

Listeriosis can present as straightforward food-poisoning cases in healthy individuals, or as invasive diseases in at-risk groups such as the very young, the elderly, pregnant women and those

54 – VetScript November 2020

APPROXIMATELY 0.6 CASES OF LISTERIOSIS PER 100,000 PEOPLE ARE SEEN EACH YEAR IN NEW ZEALAND, WHILE IN WESTERN COUNTRIES IT IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH DUE TO FOODBORNE ILLNESSES.

Finally, cutaneous listeriosis has occasionally been reported in veterinarians handling aborted material.

This causes cutaneous papules and pustules with mild fever and is another example of the importance of taking extra hygiene precautions and wearing personal protection when dealing with abortion cases.

REFERENCES: Avila CLS, Carvalho BF. Silage fermentation – updates focusing on the performance of microorganisms. Journal of Applied Microbiology 128, 966–84, 2019 Cantile C, Youssef S. Nervous system. In: Maxie GM (ed). Jubb, Kennedy and Palmer’s Pathology of Domestic Animals. 6th Edtn. Pp 362–4. Elsevier, Missouri, USA, 2016 Clark RG, Gill JM, Swanney S. Listeria monocytogenes gastroenteritis in sheep. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 52, 46–7, 2004

immunosuppressed due to disease or drug treatment. Invasive diseases include abortion, meningoencephalitis and septicaemia in adults, neonatal septicaemia and neonatal meningitis (Schlech, 2019).

Listeria’s ability to proliferate at low temperatures makes it a particular problem in ready-to-eat products such as salads, delicatessen products, raw milk products, soft cheeses and fresh and smoked fish. It also readily forms bio-films on food preparation surfaces that are resistant to low and high pH, chlorine, iodine and quaternary ammonium compounds. This makes it particularly challenging for the food production industry to control.

Although studies of bulk milk and meat carcasses suggest contamination rates of these products are low in New Zealand, faecal shedding by ruminants are likely to act as a source of contamination of raw products and the factory environment.

Strategies to minimise the carriage and shedding of listeria on farms therefore benefit not only farmers by reducing disease in their stock but also public health by reducing a source of Listeria in the food-production and processing environments.

Fairley R. Enteric listeriosis of sheep and cattle.

VetScript 31, 46, 2018 Fairley RA, Colson M. Enteric listeriosis in a 10-month-old calf. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 61, 376–8, 2013 Fluen TW, Hardcastle M, Kiupel M, Baral RM. Listerial mesenteric lymphadenitis in 3 cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 33, 1753–8, 2019 Freitag NE, Port GC, Miner MD. Listeria monocytogenes – from saprophyte to intracellular pathogen. Nature Reviews in Microbiology 7, 62337, 2009 Gill JM. Abortions in sheep caused by Listeria species. Proceedings of 29th Annual Seminar, Society of Sheep and Beef Cattle Veterinarians 41–2, 1999 Jones BR, Cullinane LC, Cary PR. Isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from a bite in a cat from the common tree weta (Hemideina crassidens). New Zealand Veterinary Journal 32, 79–80, 1984 Lee C, Mogg TD. Enteric listeriosis in a horse. The Australian Equine Veterinarian 35, 48, 2016 Revold T, Abayneh T, Brun-Hansen H, Kleppe SL, Ropstad EO, Hellings RA, Sorum J. Listeria monocytogenes associated kerato-conjunctivitis in four horses in Norway. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 57, 76–86, 2015 Schlafer DH and Foster RA. Female genital system. In: Maxie GM (ed). Jubb, Kennedy and Palmer’s Pathology of Domestic Animals. 6th Edtn. Pp 408–9. Elsevier, Missouri, USA, 2016 Schlech WF. Epidemiology and clinical manifestations of Listeria monocytogenes infection.

In: Fischetti VA, Novick RP, Ferretti JJ, Portnoy DA, Braunstein M, Rood JO (eds). Gram Positive Pathogens. 3rd Edtn. Pp 793–802. ASM Press, Washington DC, USA, 2019 Staples P. Listerial infection of animals and birds in New Zealand. Surveillance 24, 12–13, 1997

BOVINE ULTRASOUND WORKSHOPS North Island – 7 & 8 December South Island – 14 & 15 December Learn the latest techniques Improve confidence Innovative teaching models

Register now at nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub/dairy

NEWS AND VIEWS

DAIRY CATTLE VETERINARIANS

Bovine ultrasound WORKSHOP

Learn the latest techniques in bovine ultrasound and improve your confidence. » Workshops: 7 and 8 December (North Island), 14 and 15 December (South Island) » Tutor: Steve Cranefield » Read more information and register at nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub/dairy

COMPANION ANIMAL VETERINARIANS

Landmark Purina Institute study webinar: Pivotal step towards reducing cat allergens ONLINE

» Date: 3 November 2020 | Recording available after webinar » Speakers: Craig Ruaux | David Thomas | Ebenezer Satyaraj | Michael Zajac » Read more information and register at nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub/companion

COMPANION ANIMAL VETERINARIANS

Veterinary refresher scheme A self-directed course for veterinarians returning to companion animal practice.

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WELLBEING HUB

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Wellbeing and resilience for veterinary professionals Fundamental skills required to thrive in the complex veterinary environment. » Start now! | Free for NZVA members through VetScholar | $100 for non-members » Author: Belinda Noyes » Read more information at nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub/business

Check out www.nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub 56 – VetScript November 2020

NEWS AND VIEWS

WELLBEING HUB

ALL VETERINARY PERSONNEL

Professional skills for veterinary teams Learn techniques that promote team and workplace effectiveness, and develop your own workplace wellness plan. » Start now! | Free for NZVA members through VetScholar | $400 for non-members » Tutor: Michael Meehan » Read more information at nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub/business

ALL VETERINARY PERSONNEL

CONFERENCE

June NZVA and NZVNA conference The June conference will feature equine, sheep, beef cattle and deer, industry, veterinary business and equine veterinary nursing streams. » Dates: 23–25 June 2021 | Location: Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Christchurch » NZVA workshops will be offered on 26 June » Read more information at nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub/conference

ALL VETERINARY PERSONNEL

CONFERENCE

November NZVA and NZVNA conference The November conference will feature dairy cattle, companion animal, wildlife, complementary medicine, epidemiology, food safety, animal welfare, biosecurity and companion animal veterinary nursing streams. » Date and location to be confirmed » Read more information at nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub/conference

NZVA MEMBERSHIP

ALL VETERINARY PERSONNEL

Don’t forget to renew your NZVA membership!

NZVA members receive exclusive membership pricing on all NZVA courses and...

2021 Membership renewals now open!

NZVA would like to thank you for your continued support.

» Free CPD courses and resources through Wellbeing Hub » Access to CPD recording through MyCPD » Talk to your employer, visit the NZVA website or contact membership@vets.org.nz for more information Check out www.nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub VetScript November 2020 – 57

NEWS AND VIEWS

ALL VETERINARY PERSONNEL

2020 Leadership ProSkills programme

CRAMPTON

Consulting Group

Effectively lead your team and manage your practice.

ONLINE

» Start now! » Tutors: Sue Crampton | Mark Hardwick | Rosie Overfield | Deb Render » Read more information and register at nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub/business

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2020 Leadership intelligence programme

CRAMPTON

Consulting Group

Contemporary and relevant leadership training.

ONLINE

» Start now! » Optional coaching support and implementation programme available » Read more information and register at nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub/business

NZVA would like to thank our Education Partners

Check out www.nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub 58 – VetScript November 2020

CONFERENCE

2020 NZVA Wildlife Conference Nelson: From the mountains to the sea.

ALL VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS Join us in beautiful Nelson for the annual NZVA Wildlife Society Conference!

This year’s wildlife conference will include local talks on conservation in Tasman region, as well as a great range of member talks. With a packed lecture programme on all three days as well as other activities, this is a face-to-face event that you won’t want to miss!

Workshops –­ Friday afternoon Delegates can choose between a hands-on wetlab covering basic avian triage and diagnostics or a workshop focused on environmental toxins.

Field trips – Saturday afternoon Two exciting field trip options are on offer. For those wanting a relaxing afternoon, there is a guided walk around Brook Waimārama Sanctuary; or for those after something a little more adventurous, a kayak trip around Cable Bay is available.

Other activities The conference also includes the NZVA Wildlife society annual general meeting late Friday afternoon and a conference dinner on Saturday evening.

DATE | LOCATION 27–29 November 2020 | Trailways Hotel, Nelson

PRICE Three-day registration Wildlife member: $475 NZVA member: $525 Non-member: $625 Student/retired/veterinary nurse/partner: $225 One-day registration Wildlife member: $225 NZVA member: $250 Non-member: $300 Student/retired/veterinary nurse/partner: $100 Prices are in NZD and include 15% GST.

Pricing for all other activities is listed on the conference website.

A full programme is available on the conference website.

Register at nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub/conference For more educational resources and courses visit www.nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub

VetScript November 2020 – 59

ONLINE

The 10 behaviours of success Add practical skills to your toolkit to thrive in your work and at home.

ALL VETERINARY PERSONNEL Ever wondered what makes some people more successful than others?

The NZVA invites all veterinary personnel to take advantage of a unique opportunity to develop personal and professional skills to thrive at work and at home.

This seminar-based course is designed to help you reduce unwanted stress, increase work-life balance and improve team collaboration through a series of tools and actions developed by researcher and international thought leader David Keane.

To get the most out of this course and to foster a progressive, supportive work culture, more than one person from each clinic should attend the same seminar series. All members of the veterinary team will benefit from these courses, including veterinarians, veterinary nurses, technicians, practice managers and support staff. A special discounted price will apply if you sign up with your colleagues, so get your team together and register now!

SEMINAR DATES 18 November, 25 November and 2 December 2020 Limited to 50 people per course.

FORMAT »

» »

Three engaging 75-minute livestream Zoom seminars Reflective reading and activities Audio book via the 10 Behaviours app

TUTOR David Keane PhD

PRICE NZVA member: $470 (first registration) Any additional staff registration: $420 Non-member: $940 (first registration) Any additional staff registration: $840 Prices are in NZD and include 15% GST. Additional registrations do not need to be the same member type.

CPD POINTS Up to 14 CPD activity hours.

Register at nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub/business For more educational resources and courses visit www.nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub

60 – VetScript November 2020

ONLINE

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Fundamental skills and procedures Increase skills and knowledge on commonly encountered disease and procedures.

LARGE ANIMAL VETERINARY TECHNICIANS Large animal veterinary technicians play a valuable role in the provision of high-level services and maintaining strong relationships with clients.

By completing this course you will develop your knowledge and broaden your understanding of a range of production animal health issues including vaccination programmes, colostrum management and calf scours.

Learn best-practice techniques and increase your proficiency in essential practical skills such as blood and tissue sampling, bolus application, disbudding and teat removal.

Take the next step in your career as a veterinary technician and increase your job satisfaction with this comprehensive course now!

DATE AND FORMAT 23 November–13 December 2020 (three weeks) Recorded presentations, case studies and quizzes

TUTORS Kristen Baxter BVSc BSc(Agr) Justine Britton CRAT Emma Cuttance BVSc MVS(Epi) David Dymock BVSc(Dist) DipVCS Ben Hodgson BVSc

PRICE NZVA member: $290 Non-member: $580 Prices are in NZD and include 15% GST.

CPD POINTS Participants can expect to complete up to six CPD activity hours.

Register at nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub/dairy For more educational resources and courses visit www.nzva.org.nz/professionals/edhub

VetScript November 2020 – 61

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DMI-Sorb rain-resistant technology created

by Alleva to meet New Zealand’s unruly weather conditions.

Turbo Injection uses the Alleva Animal Health Co-mectin formula of eprinomectin and ivermectin combined with levamisole to deliver the best combination at the best time, with the added benefit of controlling sucking lice.

“The feedback around the country has been really positive and we’re thrilled to be able to offer such an innovative drench programme with all products uniquely designed for specific stages of growth,” says Blair Loveridge, General Manager of Alleva Animal Health.

“The option of a complete drench programme that incorporates eprinomectin rather than abamectin is a step up in safety, potency and product assurance. The entire range provides veterinarians with great opportunities to engage with clients and develop farmspecific parasite control programmes.”

Proudly New Zealand owned and operated, Alleva Animal Health is a growing force in the veterinary supply channel.

Already offering top-performing brands such as Boss, Nexeprin and Corporal, its Turbo programme is the next step in efficacy and safety in cattle drenches. n For more information, visit www.alleva.co.nz.

62 – VetScript November 2020

BESTPRACTICE NEWS ANDCLASSIFIEDS VIEWS

WHĀNGĀREI

ROTORUA Full-time companion animal veterinarian

Full-time veterinarian Kamo Vets is an expanding BESTPRACTICE-accredited practice operating from a single, new purpose-built clinic in a northern suburb of Whāngārei.

We have a team of six full-time veterinarians and four veterinary nurses. Our caseload is approximately a 50/50 mix of companion animal and farm work (mainly dairy, no equine).

We supply a 4x4 vehicle. We also encourage and fund CPD, NZVA membership and your VCNZ practising certificate.

A referral surgeon from Auckland operates from our Kamo clinic on a regular basis, offering more advanced or complex surgeries.

The clinic opened just prior to Christmas 2019 and is well equipped and pleasant to work in.

The veterinary position advertised is for a full-time veterinarian with an interest in companion and farm work. A preference for either can be accommodated.

Our existing veterinary team has a wide range of abilities and experience with mutual support being important for the more challenging cases.

After-hours is equally shared in a 1:6 roster. After a weekend on-call you will have a three-day weekend. The normal full-time working week is 4.5 days with an afternoon free once a week.

The majority of our farms are family owned, which enables more direct contact with the farmer. Most of our clients are longstanding.

Whāngārei is an ideal place to live, a growing city but not too large and it’s less than two hours to Auckland’s amenities and attractions.

Best of all we have a coastline lined with fabulous beaches and bays.

If you are interested in this position, please apply in confidence to directors@kamovets.co.nz or phone 09 435 1924 and ask for one of the directors to contact you.

VetStaff – proud to be 100% Kiwi owned and operated.

Dedicated to finding permanent and locum veterinary staff for New Zealand’s veterinary clinics.

To apply, contact: Julie South Phone: 0800 483 869 or 027 282 4155 Email: jobs@vetstaff.co.nz

www.vetstaff.co.nz

Vetora Bay of Plenty has a position available for a fulltime companion animal veterinarian at our purpose-built animal hospital in Rotorua.

With glistening lakes, spectacular forests and amazing geothermal wonders, Rotorua is the perfect home for nature lovers. Residents benefit from world-class outdoor activities like mountain biking, trail running, boating, swimming and fishing. Rotorua has become a lifestyle destination of choice for professional couples, families and people that have a passion for life and the outdoors and want to escape the hustle and bustle of New Zealand’s larger cities.

A little bit about us Our friendly team works in a high-end facility that includes four consultation rooms, two surgical rooms, a spacious preparation room plus a laboratory and diagnostic room. The animal hospital is fitted with the latest equipment including endoscopy, digital radiography, full dentist suite, Doppler blood pressure monitor, ultrasound, orthopaedic equipment and complete IDEXX in-house laboratory.

We offer: • an attractive remuneration package based on experience • qualified NZVNA-accredited veterinary nurses • generous CPD • medical and surgical health and life insurance • subsidised income protection insurance • generous staff discounts • an evenly split after-hours roster.

A little bit about you • You are an experienced veterinarian with the right to work in New Zealand.

• You are committed to providing exceptional patient care.

• You have the ability to work autonomously yet understand the importance of collaboration and teamwork when it comes to optimal patient care.

• You are available to work on after-hours rotations.

Come and meet our amazing team and experience all our beautiful city has to offer! We’re offering five applicants the opportunity to tour our facility and stay with your family at a local hotel so you can explore the region we love, first-hand. Better still, the trip is on us!

Sounds great! How do I apply?

If you are interested in experiencing for yourself what the role and region have to offer, please contact Ryan Johnson at ryan.johnson@vetora.nz or feel free to call 021 0216 0053.

We look forward to hearing from you.

2020 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Deadline The booking and copy deadline is the 1st of the month preceding publication.

Enquiries and bookings For enquiries, bookings and to submit copy, please go to www.nzva.org.nz and click on ‘Jobs’ or contact the NZVA office.

Phone: 04 471 0484 Email: classifieds@vets.org.nz Fax:

04 471 0494

Post: NZVA Classified Advertising

PO Box 11212

Manners Street Wellington 6142

VetScript November 2020 – 63

NEWS CLASSIFIEDS AND VIEWS

MORRINSVILLE

Veterinarian Looking for a work-life balance? Maybe you shouldn’t have been a veterinarian then… but if you want to get close to that Holy Grail of loving work and having a life, then come work with us at MVP Vets in Morrinsville. It’s a way better town than it’s ever given credit for.

We boast a generally wonderful client base and a fantastic work environment. We try to enrich our clients’ lives not only with wonderful service and conversation but also through great cow management. We mostly treat dairy cows but occasionally there is the odd moment of small animal work.

We have some flexibility regarding hours and days to suit your life. After-hours is 1:7 nights and 1:4 weekends during the busy season, which can extend out during the quieter months.

You will be compensated well for working in a job that is your life calling, and if you are keen and interested then there is also the possibility of buying in to the clinic.

Send your CV to mvpvets@gmail.com or call Scott on 027 439 9955.

AUCKLAND

Companion animal veterinarian We are an independent, locally owned, growing practice looking for an experienced companion animal veterinarian to join our awesome team.

If you would like: • flexible hours • a non-corporate practice • no after-hours • a great, supportive team environment • fantastic clients and if you are interested in practising to a high standard with modern equipment including: • a digital radiography X-ray suite • a IM3 dental suite • intravenous fluid pumps • in-house IDEXX catalyst blood testing then please send your CV and references to Tristan Davies at tristan.davies@rothesaybayvet.co.nz.

64 – VetScript November 2020

WHANGAPARĀOA AND MASSEY Two companion animal positions available The Veterinary Hospital Group is well known for its friendly, caring staff and relaxed working environment. The area our clinics are located in is well known for its scenic beauty, stunning beaches, cafés and night life. We have 10 clinics situated across Auckland.

We have two companion animal positions becoming available. One is at our Massey clinic in West Auckland and the other is at our Peninsula Bay clinic in Whangaparāoa.

These roles could be either full- or part-time.

Both positions are best suited to a person who has great communication skills and is a team player. We are looking for a person who is committed to providing a high standard of care, is enthusiastic and is passionate about client education.

Our practices are well equipped with digital X-rays, ultrasound, the latest units for in-house blood analyses and dental equipment (including dental X-ray). Our veterinary nursing staff are fully trained and very supportive. We are focused on providing a learning environment with in-house continued education as well as opportunities to attend external seminars throughout the year.

This position allows for the unique opportunity to work in a local clinic but also have the experience and support of more than 30 other veterinarians within the wider group.

For further information, and to apply, please send in confidence a CV and cover letter to: Megan Rice Email: megan@vethospital.co.nz Mobile: 021 554 824 or Grant McCullough Email: grant@vethospital.co.nz Mobile: 027 490 8121

TO FIND OR FILL A JOB IN NEW ZEALAND Contact Kookaburra Veterinary Employment Permanent and locum veterinarians, plus free veterinary nurse service.

Email: jobs@kookaburravets.com Phone: +61 266 509090 Fax: +61 266 509091 www.kookaburravets.com More than 15,000 visitors per month.

GORE Full-time mixed or large animal veterinarian Combined Veterinary Services Gore is looking for a full-time, experienced mixed or large animal veterinarian to join the team. Our five-veterinarian practice encompasses dairy, beef, sheep and companion animals with no two days ever the same. The dedicated team pride themselves on providing leading personal veterinary care for both their rural and urban clients. Our farming clients seeing us as a key part of their business and we work closely to get the best results together.

Veterinary medicine is constantly evolving and there is always lots of support and encouragement to develop your own special interests and career pathway.

We are looking for someone with: • at least three years’ veterinary experience • a positive, organised and enthusiastic attitude • excellent written and verbal communication skills • a strong desire to provide excellent customer service.

Our practice covers the eastern Southland and west Otago area, with our main base in Gore.

Gore is a thriving rural community with excellent schools, shops and facilities.

Our location in Southland means you have easy access to a range of outdoor pursuits including fishing, tramping, hunting, skiing and water sports. It’s also not too far from Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill.

If you have a passion for providing leading animal health solutions with a smile and want to work with a supportive team then this is the role for you!

To discuss or apply, please contact: Karen Nicholson Phone: 03 208 0140 Mobile: 022 015 5080 Email: karen@cvsgore.co.nz Or come and meet us at: Combined Veterinary Services 36 Hokonui Drive Gore 9710.

NEWS CLASSIFIEDS AND VIEWS

DARGAVILLE

AUCKLAND Dental residency

Mixed animal veterinarian Are you looking for an enjoyable and rewarding working experience that also gives you the time and flexibility to live and experience the world outside of work?

We are looking for a fourth veterinarian to join our growing team of veterinarians, veterinary nurses, veterinary technicians and office personnel.

We are situated in Northland – an awesome place to play and work with a sub-tropical climate, postcard-worthy beaches and a friendly relaxed clientele.

Sustainable Vets, the newest mixed practice in New Zealand, is growing rapidly and needs more veterinarians. We provide a veterinary service that clients enjoy and recommend.

Sustainable Vets has a proactive approach in the production animal service role, with a strong focus on helping farming clients manage their resources better to prevent disease and increase farm performance in a sustainable and rewarding manner. We’re known not just for our work in a traditional animal health role but also for our innovative, practical agricultural science solutions. We keenly look at the big picture with our clients.

Compared to the large, corporate style of practice, you won’t be treated as a number. Your work will be interesting and varied and change can happen. We don’t have corporate clients, with most farms being owner-operator scenarios. You’ll be dealing directly with the decision-makers so you can have a real impact.

With new facilities and equipment, companion animal work is focused on providing great veterinary care in an affordable manner.

You’ll get the direct support of experienced staff, facilitating stimulating and progressive personal development in a great team environment.

• After-hours is negotiable.

• Working rosters and hours are flexible and negotiable.

• Remuneration is very good – competitive plus.

• Personal logistics need not be a barrier.

We are resourced and can help you with finding housing and by providing vehicles and covering travel expenses.

Come join our team. All applicants are welcome, from new graduates to experienced veterinarians.

To learn more or discuss this opportunity contact: Graeme Ewenson Mobile: 027 439 5443 Email: Graeme@sustainablevets.co.nz

Auckland Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery is an American Veterinary Dental College approved residency site. The residency position can be either three years full-time or five years part-time at our practice in Auckland.

Russell Tucker is the residency director. Applicants must have completed a one-year internship or have at least two years’ experience in companion animal practice.

The successful applicant will receive the necessary training to be able to submit their credentials to the AVDC. The full details of the full-time and part-time residencies are available on the college’s website, www.avdc.org.

Please forward a letter of intent, CV and references to: Russell Tucker Board Certified Veterinary Dentist russellt@aucklandvetdentist.co.nz

CANTERBURY

BAY OF PLENTY

Full-time veterinarian Our team is seeking a fulltime, permanent veterinarian to join our enthusiastic and skilled clinical team in our purpose-built facility. We offer a high standard of patient care and are able to offer advanced diagnostics, as well as surgical and medical treatments in a clinic that has been practising for 20 years. The clinic provides a variety of diagnostic equipment including endoscopy, ultrasound, ECG, radiography, fluoroscopy and arthroscopy, and has access to advanced imaging modalities.

The role will be predominantly small animal work (80%) with some large animal and equine practice, including a 1:3 Saturday halfday shift doing small animal consults and 1:5 week large animal on call. A practice vehicle will be available for work-related use.

Suitable applicants will have a high standard and progressive clinical outlook, ideally with a minimum of two years’ clinical experience but all applicants will be considered, including sole small animal veterinarians. Professional development is encouraged to provide the best possible standard of care and some training and development is available in house.

An initial three-month trial period would apply to assess suitability for the role, for both parties.

Send expressions of interest to: Nick Page Rolleston Veterinary Services 5 Brookside Road Rolleston 7614 Canterbury Email: info@rollyvets.co.nz

Full-time mixed animal veterinarian Bay Veterinary Group has a position available for a full-time mixed animal veterinarian.

This job would include companion animal work at our clinics in Whakatāne, Edgecumbe and Kawerau. The large animal component is mainly dairy, with the opportunity to include some equine and lifestyle block involvement.

This position would also suit a part-time companion animal veterinarian looking to share our idyllic lifestyle.

The Eastern Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand’s favourite holiday destinations, boasting the country’s favourite beach, and regularly topping the national sunshine hours list. We also have skifields, mountains, lakes and national parks within easy reach.

The practice is well equipped, with digital X-rays in all clinics, ultrasound and inhouse diagnostics.

We have a 13-person team of experienced veterinarians, so after-hours work is not too onerous. There is also plenty of scope for you to develop your areas of special interest and CPD is supported and strongly encouraged.

Please contact Geoff Wakelin at geoff.wakelin@bayvets.net.nz or John Dillon at john.dillon@bayvets.net.nz for further information or to make an application.

VetScript November 2020 – 65

NEWS CLASSIFIEDS AND VIEWS

AUCKLAND

Veterinarians Are you looking to develop the next step in your veterinary career? Our veterinary team is growing! Animates Vetcare Group is seeking experienced veterinarians, or confident recent graduates to add to our unique network of companion animal veterinarians, veterinary nurses and support team.

Our vision is to have the best veterinary team and friendly practices providing the best patient care to our clients. To get there we need veterinarians like you on our team.

Join the veterinary company that CARES. Due to expansion, we are looking for veterinarians to join our established teams at some of our 22 clinics around New Zealand and additional advisory services.

VetEnt is one of New Zealand’s largest veterinary groups, with integrated brands that support the health and wellbeing of farm and companion animals at our mixed and single practice clinics.

Our vision is to provide Kiwi farm and pet owners with highly skilled staff who are passionate about proactive healthcare, and we underpin this with a commitment to breakthrough research, technology and future thinking.

Staff benefits include: + career advancement opportunities and pathways + CPD support + clinic exchange programmes + involvement in our subsidiaries such as StockCare and PureMilk + collaboration with other clinics and veterinarians around New Zealand + latest technology access and well-equipped clinics.

Hear what it’s like to work at VetEnt by scanning the QR code with your phone or contact us via email at careers@vetent.co.nz.

Skill + Tech + Heart = Care ENT

VET ENT

66 – VetScript November 2020

Positions available • A mixed clinical and non-clinical role for a senior veterinarian thinking about career growth and development.

• A recent graduate role for a multi-clinic veterinary practice.

• A role that would suit those wanting flexibility and a great work-life balance.

About you • You have a recognised BVSc or equivalent qualification.

• You are proficient all round in companion animal medicine and surgery in a companion animal practice.

• You enjoy working collaboratively in a close-knit team.

• You are passionate about the veterinary industry and providing excellent clinical care.

We will provide you with all the tools you need to be successful • The veterinary equipment you need to provide excellent care, such as dental radiography.

• VCNZ registration.

• A generous CPD budget.

• Opportunities to attend conferences, including Australasia’s largest veterinary conference.

• Internal career development and progression opportunities.

• Leadership training and development.

• A network of experienced veterinarians, veterinary nurses and a 100% clinical support team at head office that understands the industry as they have all worked their whole careers in it.

• Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists membership scholarships worth $10,000 are also available.

How to apply If this sounds like the opportunity you have been looking for, now is a great time to join us as we go through an exciting period of growth.

To apply email klawson@vetcaregroup.co.nz.

“The thing I am most proud of at Vetcare is the fact that our 150-strong clinical team all feel like family. It is a culture that we have worked hard on. It is so important that our teams feel happy in their work and that they trust everyone has their backs. And we truly do. I am so proud of our wonderful people. They live and breathe our values and that makes all the difference.”

Kylie Lawson, General Manager Clinics.

NEWS CLASSIFIEDS AND VIEWS

KERIKERI Companion animal veterinarian Bay of Islands Veterinary Services is seeking an enthusiastic, full-time companion animal veterinarian to join our practice.

The job would commence in January 2021 and suit someone who is interested in small animal medicine and surgery.

We are a busy small animal practice, with four to five full-time small animal clinicians handling a busy caseload daily.

We are equipped with all the modern tools to help with diagnostics including digital radiography X-ray, ultrasound and full IDEXX in-house laboratory suite.

There are currently 14 veterinarians (several of them are part-time) working between our four clinics, making the afterhours roster very appealing. You would be working out of our small animal clinic based in Kerikeri but also at times out of our other clinics if needed.

The clinic hours are 8.30am–5.00pm, Monday to Friday in all clinics. We run a Saturday morning clinic in Kerikeri from 9.00am to 12.00pm and this is included in the after-hours roster.

There is plenty of scope to follow your interests and we have lots of experienced veterinarians and veterinary nurses to help you develop your skills. This position would suit an experienced small animal veterinarian wanting to put down some roots in a great area and add to the team.

New graduates are welcome to apply.

If you are looking for a balanced and enjoyable lifestyle then this is the practice for you!

The Bay of Islands is a beautiful part of New Zealand, with some of the best beaches in the country. There are many other outdoor activities in the area and the Bay of Islands airport is only five minutes away.

If this sounds like you then please contact: Max Newport Email: max@bayvets.co.nz Mobile: 027 433 1314 or Hilary Shaw Email: hilary@batvets.co.nz Mobile: 027 407 7139

OREWA Orewa Vet Hospital Companion animal veterinarian required for our 100% small animal practice We are in a modern, purpose-built clinic that has recently had a significant upgrade.

We are an independent practice and as such would give you plenty of scope to pursue your special interests and foster your own clientele.

This is a full-time, permanent position but we would consider part-time for the right person.

Orewa is an exceptionally beautiful coastal area just north of Auckland which can cater for all lifestyle requirements.

Check out our website www.orewavethospital.co.nz.

Email Brett Finlayson at brettfinlayson@hotmail.com or call him on 027 291 5515 to have a chat.

RANGIORA

TE AWAMUTU

Companion animal veterinarian

Companion animal veterinarian

We are seeking an enthusiastic and friendly companion animal veterinarian to join our team in Rangiora. This is a full-time position, including a rostered Saturday clinic. This is also a great opportunity to develop your skills by being mentored by a senior veterinarian.

We are looking for an energetic team player who will complement our team well.

Rangiora is the perfect location for anyone who wants the best of both worlds, with access to countless outdoor recreational activities. It is a great area for families and keen outdoor enthusiasts.

Our clinic is well equipped with everything you would expect. You will be working alongside a team of excellent support staff, veterinary nurses and veterinarians.

We are looking for a companion animal veterinarian to roll up their sleeves and join our Te Awamutu clinic. This is a part-time position that requires a candidate who is a team player and is willing to get involved in all companion animal veterinary work. The successful candidate will work up to three days per week, permanent part-time, and rostered Saturday clinics.

To succeed in this role you will have the following: • A minimum of two years’ veterinary experience.

• A ‘can-do’ attitude. You will be organised, self-motivated and enjoy learning on the job if need be.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• A strong customer service ethic.

Excited about the possibilities yet?

You should be, because you’ll be joining one of New Zealand’s largest veterinary groups, so you can expect plenty of support – both in terms of resources and people – to do your best work. You’ll also receive a range of other benefits. You’ll step into a highly collaborative work culture that values innovation and futurefocused thinking.

There’s never been a better time to take the next step in your career.

Has your time come?

Apply by emailing your CV and covering letter to careers@vetent.co.nz.

To succeed in this role you will have the following: • A minimum of two years’ veterinary experience.

• A ‘can-do’ attitude. You will be organised, self-motivated and enjoy learning on the job if need be.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• A strong customer service ethic.

To maintain our vision to be New Zealand’s leading provider of animal health and productivity services, we need you!

If you have a passion for providing innovative animal health solutions, are client focused and results driven, then this is the right role for you!

Please apply by emailing careers@vetent.co.nz.

More information about VetEnt can be found at www.vetent.co.nz.

VetScript November 2020 – 67

NEWS CLASSIFIEDS AND VIEWS

CENTRAL OTAGO Full-time veterinarian Veterinary Centre Oamaru has an opportunity for a fulltime veterinarian to join our current team at our Ranfurly clinic in Central Otago. The Maniototo (www.maniototo.co.nz) has the Queenstown and Wanaka playgrounds on its doorstep and offers a wide range of recreational pursuits including skiing, hunting, tramping, mountain biking and team sports. Our practice has excellent facilities and support staff in the area, with a purpose-built veterinary clinic.

This is a truly mixed animal branch of our practice with a strong focus on sheep and beef work. Ranfurly also services seven dairy farms. The balance of the caseload is small animals with a predominance of farm dogs.

For nine months of the year, after-hours is shared with a neighbouring Ranfurly practice, making it a 1:6 weekend roster.

This position presents an opportunity for a veterinarian who would just love to live and work in a spectacular, powerful environment. The rural people in this high country area are rewarding to work with.

Veterinary Centre Oamaru currently employs 30 veterinarians and has a high degree of collegial support. Structured CPD is highly encouraged. We have a philosophy of encouraging and supporting individual veterinarians to develop their area of special interest.

We will offer a very competitive salary package for this position, depending on the successful candidate’s experience and the level of responsibility they take on.

If you think this opportunity may be right for you, please contact us to discuss it further or send your CV to: Veterinary Centre Oamaru Attn: Kevin Kearney 311 Thames Street Oamaru 9400 Phone: 03 434 566 Email: kevin@vet111.co.nz

VETERINARY LOCUM AGENCY

(Veterinarians and veterinary nurses) For locum enquiries and information on permanent positions, please contact: Ms P Currall PO Box 12147 Beckenham Christchurch 8242 Phone: 03 337 1051 Email: paddy.currall@xtra.co.nz www.vetsolutions.co.nz

68 – VetScript November 2020

TARANAKI

HĀWERA

Companion animal veterinarian

Companion animal veterinarian

We require an additional veterinarian to join the companion animal team in our busy mixed rural practice.

This is a new position that would suit a new or recent graduate who has an interest in developing their companion animal skills within an existing team of five experienced companion animal veterinarians.

Energy Vets Taranaki is a truly mixed practice with farm, equine and companion animal clients. It operates out of two premises in the rural towns of Inglewood and Waitara. The companion animal caseload is increasing steadily and we have recently expanded the kennel and cattery wards in the Inglewood clinic. We have a team of dedicated veterinary nurses and up-to-date facilities including digital X-ray, IDEXX biochemistry, and Procyte hematology analyser and ultrasound.

Caseload is shared, with opportunities to develop areas of interest in both surgery and medicine.

The successful applicant will work out of either clinic and be integrated into the companion animal after-hours roster.

The roster is currently 1:5 weekends and every fifth week the veterinarians get a four-day weekend in lieu of working a Saturday clinic.

Taranaki is a very popular place to live, with arts and culture, mountain and tramping activities, sports and fishing, as well as the popular New Plymouth Walkway. Schools, restaurants and cafés abound.

If you are interested in this position, phone for more details or apply with your CV to: Greg Hall Managing Director Energy Vets Taranaki PO Box 19 Inglewood 4330 Phone: 06 756 7228 Mobile: 027 2475636

• Learning and development • Opportunities • Great company vision and culture Taranaki Veterinary Centre is a large veterinary practice with clinics in Hāwera, Manaia, Stratford, Pātea and Waverley, employing 29 veterinarians and 44 support staff.

Due to growth, our Hāwera branch is looking for an exceptional companion animal veterinarian with the ‘X’ factor to join our leading veterinary practice.

We focus on providing a challenging and fun workplace; we encourage staff development in an environment of support and reward. Our aim is to provide best-practice patient care.

Our Hāwera branch facilities include four consultation rooms, two surgeries, an isolation building, a digital radiography X-ray suite, preparation area, ultrasound machine and full IDEXX in-house laboratory suite. The clinic is equipped for most rural and urban services.

The clinic currently has five FTE (fulltime equivalent) companion animal veterinarians and nine veterinary nurses.

ILLED F N O I T POSI

MARKETPLACE FOR SALE Fibreglass cages Currently installed in more than 300 practices nationwide, our cages are clean, warm and visually appealing in a range of colours with all stainless steel fittings.

Jim Grayson Email: jim.l.grayson@gmail.com www.creaturecomfortcages.co.nz

ILLED F N O I T POSI

The position offers: • an excellent remuneration package based on experience and ability • a half day off each week • NZVA membership • VCNZ registration • income protection insurance • health insurance • a generous CPD allowance.

You will: • work well in a team environment • have a strong commitment to CPD and developing your personal interests • have excellent customer service and communication skills • have accurate computer data entry and keyboard skills • have a current full New Zealand driver’s licence.

New graduates and experienced veterinarians welcome to apply.

Make a great career move this year and join our dynamic team today!

To apply for this job please send your CV and cover letter to rebecca@taranaki-vets.co.nz.

VetScript November 2020 – 69

CHOOSE BRAVECTO — LONG LASTING FLEA & TICK PROTECTION IN A SINGLE DOSE IT DOESN’T TAKE LONG FOR A FLEA BURDEN TO DEVELOP WITH TEAMS OF WORKING DOGS • One dose of Bravecto lasts the entire flea life cycle.1 • A great choice for dogs with flea allergy dermatitis.

• Safe for use in dogs from 8 weeks of age and 2 kg bodyweight.

• Safe for use in breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs, as well as ‘ivermectin sensitive’ Collies.

• Bravecto chew for dogs treats and controls demodectic and sarcoptic mange, and ear mites.

REMEMBER TO TREAT YOUR FARMS CATS TOO

Visit bravecto.nz to find out more 1. The average flea life cycle lasts 3-8 weeks.

ACVM No’s: A011019, A011261 & A011446. Schering-Plough Animal Health Ltd. Phone: 0800 800 543. www.msd-animal-health.co.nz NZ-BRV-200900005 © 2020 Intervet International B.V. All rights reserved.