Mirjam Guesgen, VetScript Editor

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.

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

Letter

A MOVE FOR THE BETTER?

I am not sure if anyone is left of my age and membership of 70 years but I would like to take you back as current members to 1975–84, during my time as a member of the NZVA council.

The NZVA was well served in those days by a secretary, LJ (Tommy) Thompson, an accountant in Hamilton. Some of us on council put our necks out and suggested a shift to Wellington so that the NZVA could be noticed by Government. This was unpopular with members but we persisted and achieved our goal in 1980. The whole object of the exercise was to get the NZVA more in tune with Government.

I am on the outside now and cannot know if we achieved our objective but, at this distance, it seems like the press refers to SPCA and the Government refers in-house, rather than to the NZVA, when consulting and forming opinions.

Two cases stand out. One is the debate on shock dog collars, which SPCA refused to answer. Animal welfare is a function of the NZVA yet it was not called on by the media. The second is the outbreak of Listeria in the Bay of Plenty, which was undoubtedly caused by unpasteurised milk in cheeses. This was answered by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor – no consultation with the NZVA.

Such issues should go straight to our President, who, if they can’t answer, would nominate someone who will. I believe our annual conference should always invite the Minister of Agriculture for a short visit, as we used to (see page 139 of my book Vets on the Go). This after all was our vision when shifting from Hamilton to Wellington in 1980.

I hope I am not correct in the possibility that we have not really achieved today what we started in 1980.

Graham Wallace, Auckland

Response from the NZVA: Thank you for taking the time to write to the association regarding our advocacy and media relations work.

Unfortunately some of the incredible work that goes on is largely invisible to members. This is because advocacy is a long game that involves many hours spent in meetings with a range of stakeholders, including but not limited to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Federated Farmers, VCNZ, SPCA, Companion Animals New Zealand, the New Zealand Companion Animal Trust, Dogs NZ, and the Greyhound and rodeo animal welfare committees.

It also involves letters to and meetings with ministers of the Crown and meetings with a range of government officials and other non-governmental organisation personnel. Having the association based in Wellington has made it much easier for relationship-building purposes and cost effectiveness. To give you a flavour of the work underway, here are three examples of the NZVA stepping in on behalf of members:

TAIL DOCKING IN DOGS

Our input helped to map a pathway to legislation that made this practice illegal and removed any ethical discomfort for veterinarians when approached to perform the procedure.

CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF OVERSEAS VETERINARIANS

The NZVA has picked up the role of advocating jointly with MPI, VCNZ and Massey University to the Minister of Agriculture and government officials on the issue of streamlining and speeding up the process of bringing veterinarians into the country in the face of the chronic veterinary shortages exacerbated by the current border restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MEDIA RELATIONS

The NZVA is frequently asked to comment on issues concerning animals, animal welfare and primary production. During the COVID-19 lockdown we answered five to 10 media enquiries each day. The NZVA Chief Veterinary Officer and CEO have recently done some high profile television interviews regarding live exports and the shortage of veterinarians due to border restrictions.

Kevin Bryant, NZVA CEO

DAYS OF NOTE

5 OCTOBER WORLD HABITAT DAY

10 OCTOBER WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

15 OCTOBER INTERNATIONAL DAY OF RURAL WOMEN

23 OCTOBER HAWKE’S BAY ANNIVERSARY DAY

26 OCTOBER LABOUR DAY

CORRECTION

On page 51 of the September issue we incorrectly stated that “The other four PI calves tested positive for serum antibodyELISA on day 100, and three of the four also tested positive for antibody by antigen-ELISA at this time...”. This should read: “The other four PI calves tested positive for serum antigen-ELISA on day 100, and three of the four also tested positive for antibody by antibody-ELISA at this time...”. We apologise for the error.

VetScript

Deadlines for December 2020 issue

EDITORIAL COPY 20 October

DISPLAY AND CLASSIFIED

ADVERTISING 1 November

LATE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

20 November

Contact the editor at: vetscript@vets.org.nz