EDITORIAL
www.nzva.org.nz
VetScript OCTOBER 2020 • VOL 33 • NO 9 ISSN 1170-280X COVER IMAGE Cooperating on cataracts (IMAGE: NICK AND KIRSTY MIDDLETON )
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.
2 – VetScript October 2020
Decisions, decisions VetScript Editor Mirjam Guesgen discusses new arrivals and new directions, and decision-making inbetween. IF NOTHING ELSE, 2020 has been a lesson in taking things as they come. Focusing on the day-to-day. There was a time in late March, early April, when I was trying to get my fiancé to New Zealand as our borders were slowly closing. We booked flights. Cancelled them. Called Immigration New Zealand. Waited. Put flights on hold again. Let the hold fall through. It was a daily mental exercise in crystal-ball gazing. We tried not to get our hopes up but inevitably did, only to have them dashed. Slowly, as the Government developed systems for processing exemption applications, we made progress. He’s here now, on the work permit he was granted in the ‘before times’, and thankful to be in a country where daily life is closer to what we’re used to than it is almost anywhere else in the world. It wasn’t until we made the conscious decision not to do anything that our plans worked out. A certain amount of faith comes with that, but there’s also a realisation that you can only make decisions based on the information you have available at the time. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly shown the importance of information in decision-making, as well as the need to change the way you do things based on the most up-to-date information. Until recently we thought masks weren’t necessary; now they’re mandatory on public transport. We didn’t think young people could be as affected by the virus as the elderly; now we’re seeing ‘long-haulers’ – people who live for months with relentless waves of COVID-19 symptoms. There were murmurings that the disease was a oneand-done infection; now we’ve seen the first cases of reinfection. Evidence-based approaches don’t just apply to science and pandemics. They’re also a concept the VetScript editorial team applies to what and how we publish the magazine. In June you had the chance to review the magazine and let us know what you love and what you’d rather do without. Thanks for the feedback! You can see how your views fit with those of other readers on page 10. The information will help shape the VetScript of the future. Also this month you’ll meet Nicola Wichtel, a mixed animal veterinarian who’s discovered a love for helping kiwi (the birds, not the people). Her daily commute through three scenic reserves, home to some 200-odd North Island brown kiwi, got her thinking about ways to support local predator-trapping and kiwi-monitoring efforts. She’s now in the process of upskilling on kiwi handling, health checks and treatment in preparation for a role as the ‘go-to’ person for injured birds in her area. Also in this issue, Naomi Arnold shares the journey of New Zealand company Techion, which is taking its parasite diagnostic tool from our farms to underdeveloped countries around the world. The tool was originally intended to count parasites in animal samples, but the company is now discovering its value to human health. Thanks for reading. Mirjam Guesgen, Editor, VetScript
