VetScript May 2020

NEWS AND VIEWS

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VetScript May 2020 – i

Virtual Congress

Secure your front row seat now The World Veterinary Association Congress goes virtual to bring you an online festival of veterinary learning.

Out of adversity comes innovation with the New Zealand Veterinary Association and World Veterinary Association working with The Webinar Vet to deliver an on-line festival of veterinary learning starting on the 25 April (26 April in New Zealand) to coincide with World Veterinary Day. The online festival will include over 54 speakers and 100 hours of continuing professional development either live or

as recorded lectures. While the festival lasts for three weeks the information will remain available online for six months.

The Congress is for all veterinary professionals around the world including veterinarians, veterinary nurses, large animal veterinarian technicians, practice managers and other veterinary staff.

1 hour of webinars will equate to 1 point of CVE.

Register now at wvac2020.thewebinarvet.com

NEWS AND VIEWS

EDITORIAL 2 Mirjam Guesgen, VetScript Editor

22

NEWS AND VIEWS 4 Grant McCullough, NZVA President 5 Kevin Bryant, NZVA CEO 6 NZVA veterinary team 8 News 14 Test your knowledge with our veterinary crossword 15 Global lab – check out what’s happening in veterinary schools around the world 16 Massey research update 18 Animal welfare and ethics update 20 NZVJ preview

OUT THERE VETTING

IN THE WORKPLACE

32 Meet the team at Cahill Animal Hospital – a family general practitioner kind of clinic

48 The pandemic – your and your employees’ rights and obligations WELLBEING

IN THE FIELD 36 Is livestock transport certification working?

50 Addressing domestic violence VETLEARN

21 Seton Butler, VCNZ

IN THE CLINIC 40 BESTPRACTICE accreditation – making a difference

PROFILE 22 Read about the contribution Fiona Rhodes made to NZVJ

52 Take a look at the exciting opportunities available for professional development 57 CLASSIFIEDS

IN THE LAB 44 Pulmonary toxoplasmosis in a puppy

COVER STORY 26 Veterinary leaders’ highs, lows and lessons

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46 Acute phase proteins’ role in diagnosing and monitoring tissue injuries in cats and dogs

26

40 VetScript May 2020 – 1

NEWS AND VIEWS

www.nzva.org.nz

VetScript MAY 2020 • VOL 33 • NO 4 ISSN 1170-280X COVER IMAGE Leaders in (and off) the field.

(IMAGE: KEVIN BILLS)

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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Leadership – a great enabler VetScript Editor Mirjam Guesgen finds both reassurance and pride in New Zealand’s leadership.

NEW ZEALAND TRULY is a world leader. I say that earnestly and not in a public relations kind of way.

Kiwis exemplify what I think makes a great leader. There’s the Number 8 Wire quality that drives us to innovate and create. We also recognise, for the most part, that things change. And we want to be the ones who push forward into new ways of working (see the future farming feature in our last issue) and living (I can only imagine what was going through AJ Hackett’s mind when he tested his first commercial bungy cord by jumping off the Eiffel Tower!).

But it’s not just about pushing ahead, leaving others in the dust. Kiwi leaders act with the best interests of others at heart. They band together, bringing others into their fold.

We’ve faced some challenging times in the past year – in fact ‘challenging’ is probably an understatement. The 15 March mosque attack, the disaster at Whakaari/White Island and now COVID-19 have truly put our mettle to the test. I was overseas when the events of 15 March and 9 December transpired, but I immediately felt the pull to support my fellow Kiwis and New Zealand visitors. Now, as I write this in the midst of COVID-19 Alert Level 4, the main emotion I feel is comradery.

When I go for my daily walk around the block, I don’t see empty streets or desolation.

I see teddy bears in the windows for kids walking by, I see slips of paper in people’s letterboxes offering assistance, and I see people waving from their houses or from across the road. I get a sense of determination to beat this thing and do what I need to do to make that happen. Without getting too political, I think the decisive leadership of our Prime Minister should be commended.

In this month’s issue of VetScript, we meet three leaders in the veterinary profession: Rachael Fouhy, part-time mixed animal veterinarian; Shalsee Vigeant, part owner, manager and veterinarian at Auckland’s Animal Emergency Centre; and Wendi Roe, Deputy Head of School at Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science. They tell us what helped them to get to where they are today; I particularly like Rachael’s comment about maintaining a sense of optimism and being prepared to give things a go.

We also visit some of the latest clinics to become BESTPRACTICE accredited. They’re part of two veterinary groups that are leading the way in getting all their member clinics accredited. The accreditation system is a way for practices to ensure they meet the highest standards of veterinary care in everything from medical and nursing practice to diagnostics, safety procedures, facilities, staff support and CPD. Finally, I want to thank the NZVA and everyone who helped make this issue.

Publishing this magazine has always been, and continues to be, a team effort but this month that was even more apparent. To those of you who supplied photographs and responded to our emails when the world seemed to be turned upside down, I am grateful. Well done too to the NZVA national office team, who have kept the membership and me informed throughout this turbulent time.

Month on month we see leaders on the pages of VetScript, and day by day I see them in our community.

He waka eke noa. We’re all in this together.

Mirjam Guesgen, Editor, VetScript

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NEWS AND VIEWS

Perception vs reality – the veterinarian’s burden NZVA President Grant McCullough reminds veterinarians to consider the value of their services in the face of client scepticism.

WHEN CONTACTED BY a journalist writing a story on recent animal abuse cases, I wasn’t completely surprised to learn that some animal owners attempt DIY surgeries on their pets. The results can be disastrous.

SPCA’s most recent and aptly named List of Shame describes the most serious cases of animal abuse in the past year, including one of a dog who at age four had their tail docked by their owner, using bands.

As I’m sure you’re aware, cases like this are rare but not unheard of in this country.

When confronted about their actions, some owners said they were prompted to take matters into their own hands by what they viewed as high veterinary costs. But there’s never a valid justification for this sort of behaviour.

When it comes to cost, perception isn’t always informed by reality. It’s my view that many who think we charge too much are comparing our fees with those of human healthcare, which are subsidised by the Government. Now more than ever, it’s important that we hold firm on fees and resist this threat to a business model under which many clinics have been successfully operating for many years.

So how should we respond to criticism and scepticism? I’d like to see all of us play a part in educating the public on the true costs of veterinary services. For example, I was pleased to see comments I’ve made on the subject reported in the media recently.

Arresting the current decline in clinic profitability is perhaps one of our greatest challenges. It’s even more of a priority given the uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.

We also need to have profitable veterinary businesses before we can address our other professional challenges, including staff wellbeing

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and the veterinary shortage – the latter caused in part by mid-career professionals leaving our ranks because clinics can’t pay them well enough.

For a number of years average veterinary incomes have been decreasing in comparison to those of other, similar professions, and the situation is even worse for veterinary nurses and support staff. In my view it isn’t acceptable to expect our staff to continue in these roles for only the love of animals.

When it comes to profitability, the two biggest mistakes we make are discounting and not charging for time spent with clients. This isn’t conscious theft, but the outcomes are the same.

We also need to resist the temptation to discount, which can be hard in the face of what’s commonly termed emotional blackmail from clients who say they can’t afford our services.

Discounting could simply reinforce the view that our services are unreasonably high.

And remember that the NZVA has endorsed pet health insurance for a number of years. It can be an effective and affordable solution for companion animal owners who want to avoid making difficult choices when their pets need unexpected care. I encourage you to talk to your clients about the benefits of pet health insurance when you think the timing is appropriate.

As I’ve said before, with every challenge comes opportunity. Today there’s a clear opportunity for the NZVA to show leadership in addressing the significant issue of veterinary clinic profitability. I look forward to working on this topic with NZVA leadership and our Member Advisory Group, which has identified workforce and business sustainability as a priority issue for action.

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

NEWS AND VIEWS

Kindness is contagious As the fight against COVID-19 imposes another ‘new normal’, NZVA CEO Kevin Bryant has some advice for all veterinarians.

AS I WRITE this column on the first day of New Zealand’s nationwide lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19, the age-old saying ‘change is the only constant in life’ seems particularly apt.

By the time you read this, COVID-19 may well be at its peak, and we may still be in lockdown as a country. While the Government’s announcement of this ‘new normal’ was a shock to many, the quick transition from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 4 was the right thing to do. We must stop the virus spreading widely and quickly, as it has done in so many other countries.

Here at national office we’ve been doing our best to support all members with regular emails that provide guidance and advice related to COVID-19. If you’ve missed any of these or have questions about the pandemic, our website www.nzva.org.nz is being updated with news, information and guidance as they become available. Please also continue contacting us with your queries. Our team is well set up with home offices and are here to help you.

A recent Stuff poll showed that more than 90% of New Zealanders support the lockdown, in which only essential services (including veterinary services) can operate, and within limits.

One of the most important things to do while staying inside our bubbles is maintaining (nonphysical) contact with each other. Technology like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and phone are all good ways to do this. Try and keep doing the regular activities that you’re used to doing face to face but do them digitally. For example our team are continuing to do the Massey University short quiz from the Dominion Post every day at 12.30pm – we just do it via Zoom.

These are challenging times and my message is simple: stick together and support one another. By looking after ourselves and those in our bubbles we’ll be better off throughout the lockdown, and in much better shape when we come out the other side of this pandemic.

What ‘the other side’ looks like is unclear.

The way we live and work will change and it will be different from what we have all become very familiar with. Our challenge will be to rise and adapt to that change.

Right now, as we grapple with the health effects of the virus, New Zealand’s economy is under considerable strain. Small businesses, including some veterinary clinics, are particularly vulnerable to losses in times like these.

I think it’s important that practice owners and operators think first about doing the right thing and the needs of all veterinary professionals, as well as their own. While the regulations that businesses are expected to follow in a competitive marketplace continue to apply, the enforcement of them may become more pragmatic.

One of our forward-thinking members has urged all veterinarians to do what they can to help clinics nearby in financial or other distress.

It might not seem much, but even the simplest gesture of kindness could make all the difference to your colleagues out there. These are different times and we all need to work hard to try and preserve the sustainability of all businesses. I favour the word ‘co-opetition’, where we compete in the market but support each other. This will ensure the continuity of essential veterinary services in your area.

As essential services, we have a privileged position and we need to ensure we do not jeopardise it by breaking the rules as set forth by the Government.

We can all do our bit by pulling together for the benefit of the veterinary profession. Show compassion and kindness and we can help veterinarians around the country to continue looking after animals, their owners and the many urban and rural communities of which they are a part.

Kevin Bryant, NZVA CEO kevin.bryant@vets.org.nz

VetScript May 2020 – 5

NEWS AND VIEWS

The week that was…

Your NZVA veterinary team share how the world looked to them in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic.

phone calls, emails, endless writing and reviewing of documents and member updates, long hours, challenging conversations, stress, frustration and a few tears. Offsetting all that was the amazing support from our national office colleagues, who gave everything we asked of them and more – thank you team, we couldn’t have done it without you! We also had incredible support from you, the members, both publicly and privately, so thank you for that. Knowing that our best efforts are appreciated really does help sustain us for whatever the next weeks are going to bring.

ASH KEOWN – VETERINARY MANAGER (LARGE ANIMAL)

LORELLE BARRETT

LORELLE BARRETT – VETERINARY MANAGER (COMPANION ANIMALS) You know it’s not going to be good news when your boss calls you at 4pm on a Sunday afternoon. At the time of writing that was just a week ago, but it feels a whole lot longer!

We’d definitely felt an increased anxiety and uncertainty among members in the preceding week, as the Government announced progressively harsher isolation requirements and travel restrictions. Calls started coming in at a much faster rate than usual – members worried for themselves, their teams, their businesses, and wanting to know if veterinarians would be on the list of essential service providers if it came to it. Frustratingly, we didn’t have solid answers for some of you.

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Then came Sunday 22 March – Helen Beattie (our Chief Veterinary Officer) heard that alert levels were likely to move up and it has pretty much been game-on ever since. That Sunday afternoon brought a flurry of phone calls to the Member Advisory Group and special interest branch presidents for contributions to our Government submission. Monday was spent anxiously awaiting confirmation that the profession was on the essential service providers list – and finally the official word came as we all sat watching the Prime Minister outline the move to Level 3, and then Level 4. I remember feeling a brief moment of relief, because we now had a definite direction: get the profession ready for Level 4.

And so it began… The rest of the week was packed with Zoom calls,

It was with a strange sense of calm that I watched the escalation from ‘watching brief’ to the creation of alert levels and a rapid rise to Alert Level 4.

Despite feeling at times that I was watching our own existence play out as a film script, a global shutdown did feel like an inevitability in my lifetime.

On 23 March the NZVA leadership team made the decision that all national office staff would work from home – it would be our small contribution to the nation’s effort to ‘flatten the curve’.

Little did we know we’d be joined by the majority of New Zealanders, housebound only three days later.

The week since has been a blur in which I understand my own experience but have been cushioned from the raw emotions of others, other than for brief glimpses during hurried phone calls, video chats and messages.

While the pace has been hectic at national office (the amount of material coming at me at all hours confirms this), I really feel for those of you who are facing much more uncertainty and asking questions like “How can I keep my staff safe?” and “How will my business survive?”.

NEWS AND VIEWS

are doing our best to support all of you with the best guidance we can muster.

Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to share messages of support and make available your own information for sharing with other members. It’s been fantastic to see so much willingness to work together.

Perhaps these unusual times will help to provide the answer to a question I’ve pondered for a long time: how can we help the veterinary profession to become more collaborative?

HELEN BEATTIE – CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER

ASH KEOWN

DESPITE FEELING AT TIMES THAT I WAS WATCHING OUR OWN EXISTENCE PLAY OUT AS A FILM SCRIPT, A GLOBAL SHUTDOWN DID FEEL LIKE AN INEVITABILITY IN MY LIFETIME.

For all the guidance and advice that we at the NZVA create to help you, I cannot ease the burden of the decisions you have to make to protect your families, your staff and your businesses.

The anxiety and uncertainty many of you are feeling has been palpable for us here, despite the physical distance. We

PHOTOGRAPHY: BRAD BONIFACE, ALAN DOVE

What a crazy week! I find it so difficult to reconcile what I see and hear, and how I’m living, with the fact that it’s actually reality.

I couldn’t be prouder of my team and how they, and the whole NZVA team, rallied to do what needed doing. Websites were updated, emails were sent (often quite late) and communications were developed well after closing – and I didn’t hear a single complaint.

We had amazing responses from the Member Advisory Group and special interest branch presidents, who were on the job only hours after we called on a Sunday to meet the Monday deadline we’d given for submission to the Government. It was an outstanding effort, and knowing we’d consulted key persons made positioning the NZVA’s advice so much easier.

The first week was completely bonkers, with every decision and action aimed at making the COVID-19 lockdown a little easier for veterinarians in New Zealand. Here I’d like to thank all those in other parts of the profession who contributed an enormous amount of time and energy, including industry, the Ministry for Primary Industries, VCNZ and Massey University to name a few. While our

resources aren’t necessarily directed at you, we hope you feel proud of how your association has represented you.

In developing advice we do our best to balance a wide range of members’ views with those of external stakeholders – it’s not an easy gig.

Please remember that if you don’t agree with our advice you have discretion, and that much of our advice is qualified with statements that enable that.

As a team, we've shared a lot of Zoom time - my deep thanks to Liz (NZVA Veterinary Coordinator), Ash and Lorelle for listening, shouting, laughing, swearing and supporting.

Please re-read Lorelle’s and Ash’s last sentences– I have no better words than those they offer there; such is the quality of my team!

I’m pretty sure that your first weeks of navigating the increasing alert levels were no easier. Hang in there!

Kia kaha – be strong and be kind.

HELEN BEATTIE

VetScript May 2020 – 7

NEWS AND VIEWS

DAYS OF NOTE 3 MAY WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 20 MAY WORLD BEE DAY 22 MAY INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

AN UPDATE ON REGIONAL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS Regional network and NZVA committee meetings are being held online using Zoom in the near future. The timing and frequency of these meetings may change.

Upcoming meetings include: » Animal Health and Welfare Committee meeting 27 May » Sheep and Beef Cattle Veterinarians Branch annual general meeting 5 May. n

VetScript Deadlines for July 2020 issue EDITORIAL COPY 20 May DISPLAY AND CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 1 June LATE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 20 June Contact the editor at: vetscript@vets.org.nz

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Letter CAT MANAGEMENT OVERDUE I congratulate Helen Beattie on the article ‘Let’s talk about cats’ published in the March 2020 VetScript. The development of a National Cat Management Strategy is long overdue. For too long cats have been an inconvenient species for society to consider as needing management and a plan. The negative impacts feral cats and some domestic cats play in the decimation of our native species are now well documented and can no longer be ignored. It is entirely appropriate for the veterinary profession to be leading the collaboration of the stakeholder groups including cat owners, conservationists and local and central government.

Stuart Bruere, Wairarapa

SHAKEUP IN TOP VETERINARY SCHOOL RANKINGS The list of the highest-ranking veterinary schools in the world, as rated by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), has had a major shakeup in 2020 with some newcomers in the mix.

THE ROYAL VETERINARY College at the University of London and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) swapped positions, with the college now topping the rankings. The University of Cambridge dropped from fourth to seventh, and Utrecht and Cornell Universities stayed in the top five.

Absent from this year’s top 10 are The Ohio State University, The University of Sydney and the University of Liverpool. Taking their place are Michigan State University in the US, the Vetsuisse Faculty Bern and Zurich, Switzerland (comprising members from the University of Bern and the University of Zurich) and the University of Copenhagen. As a result the top 10 list is much more Europe-focused, and the only top-10 Australasian university in last year’s list has missed out. The Massey University School of Veterinary Science ranked 28th equal this year.

The QS University Rankings by Subject are based on four indicators: academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations per paper and the H-index. n

WELLBEING HUB NOW LIVE! The NZVA has launched its Wellbeing Hub as a benefit for all members.

THE WEBSITE CURRENTLY provides resources on staying healthy, leadership tips in times of change, combatting compassion fatigue, building a quality team environment and using yoga in the workplace. New resources will continually be added to the collection.

The resource is available to everyone but is particularly useful for new and recent graduates and those returning to the profession after a break, who may be particularly vulnerable to poorer mental health.

Access the Wellbeing Hub at www.nzva.org.nz/mpage/edhub-wellbeing. n

IMAGERY: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM, SUPPLIED

NEWS AND VIEWS

Eight animal livestreams you can watch from home The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many zoos and aquariums to shut their doors, while people are instructed to stay inside for their and others’ safety.

Fortunately there are other ways to connect with animals and nature that don’t involve going outside. Here are eight websites that let you and your family watch animals from home.

Giant pandas Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Washington, US https://nationalzoo. si.edu/webcams

Coral reef

Puffins

Georgia Aquarium, Georgia, US https://www. georgiaaquarium.org/ webcam/puffin-cam/

The Nature Conservancy Australia, Australia https://youtu.be/QECBK3DmePs

Jellyfish

Monterey Bay Aquarium, California, US https://youtu.be/2gHKDHmgVlU

Goat kids

Beekman 1802 nursery, Sharon Springs, US https://beekman1802. com/pages/the-goats

Royal albatross

Department of Conservation, New Zealand https://youtu.be/6h20baX-ecY

Snow leopard cubs

Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo, Australia https://youtu.be/ DiQaOlsDZlY

Safari

Cincinnati Zoo, US The zoo hosts a live safari every day at 8am New Zealand time, including educational activities for kids! http://cincinnatizoo.org/homesafari-resources/

VetScript May 2020 – 9

NEWS AND VIEWS

STOPPING DIAGNOSES FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS Veterinarians have joined forces with computer engineers to create an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of detecting canine hypoadrenocorticism (CHA).

CHA IS NOTORIOUSLY difficult to detect as its clinical signs are similar to those of other disorders, such as kidney disease. The developers’ goal was to create an alert system that, using information from routine blood screenings, tells veterinarians when CHA is suspected and triggers further investigation or testing.

After training the computer algorithm on more than 800 cases with confirmed diagnoses, the algorithm was tested on a further 200 cases. It correctly identified true positive diagnoses 96.3% of the time and true negatives 97.2% of the time – outperforming other screening methods including logistic regression analysis.

Those who developed the algorithm say they want to prevent dogs with CHA falling through the cracks, and that diagnosis would still be confirmed with an adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test. n REFERENCE: Reagan KL, Reagan BA, Gilor C. Machine learning algorithm as a diagnostic tool for hypoadrenocorticism in dogs. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 72, 106396. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2019.106396, 2020

Correction In the April issue we stated that Max

Merrall obtained his PhD while working at the Franklin Veterinary Club. This is incorrect. He obtained it during his time at Massey University. We apologise for the error. n

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

0800 80 99 66

PANGOLINS MAY NOT BE THE MISSING COVID-19 LINK Contrary to some commentators’ suspicions, a group of scientists is arguing that a pangolin may not have been the intermediary between bats and humans that led to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PETER DASZAK, PRESIDENT of health non-profit organisation EcoHealth Alliance, told The New York Times that accumulating evidence on pangolins made it “doubtful that this species played a role in the outbreak” (Gorman, 2020).

Peter said that pangolins were suspected because they are illegally traded in Asia, but their dried scales (which are most often traded) provide an inhospitable environment for a virus.

What’s more, although pangolins carry a host of viruses in the coronavirus category, including one similar to the current SARS CoV-2 virus, none is similar enough to the human version to conclude a direct spill-over.

A paper published in Nature Medicine theorised that a form of SARS CoV-2 jumped into humans from an animal (currently unknown) and evolved into COVID-19 through undetected human-to-human transmission (Andersen et al., 2020).

To find out how the virus spread into humans, researchers need to know which animals were present at the Wuhan market where the disease first spread. If the human transmission and evolution scenario holds, the origin of COVID-19 could well have been outside the market.

New genetic research is emerging daily that could help scientists understand how the virus made the leap to humans. n REFERENCES: Andersen KG, Rambaut A, Lipkin WI, Holmes EC, Garry RF. The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2. Nature Medicine. doi: 10.1038/s41591-020-0820-9, 2020 Gorman J. Significance of Pangolin Viruses in Human Pandemic Remains Murky. www. nytimes.com/2020/03/26/science/pangolin-coronavirus.html (accessed 27 March 2020), New York Times, US, 2020

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NEWS AND VIEWS

Book Bette Flagler reviews You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing & Why it Matters by Kate Murphy, Penguin Random House New Zealand.

THIS BOOK, WHICH I encourage every clinic to buy and encourage all staff to read, begins with this simple question: “When was the last time you listened to someone?

Really listened, without thinking about what you wanted to say

next, glancing down at your phone or jumping in to offer your opinion?”.

When I read that question – and the remainder of the book – I thought about my recent conversations. Had I been actively listening? Had I been gathering not only words but subtle cues? Had I left silence and space to allow the speakers to communicate?

Was I willing to have my beliefs challenged?

What is good listening? In a nutshell: “To listen well is to figure out what’s on someone’s mind and demonstrate that you care enough to want to know”.

I bet most of you consider yourselves good listeners. Fair enough. You gather information from clients in order to do your

jobs. But I’m willing to bet that much of your listening style is what the author refers to as “interrogation” – helpful in gathering some facts and data but perhaps not the best method to use when your goal is to dig more deeply or to better understand motivations, behaviours and people’s stories.

There are a lot of golden nuggets in this book. Many are in one of my favourite chapters, ‘Listening to Opposing Views’.

In our environment we can choose to listen only to those who agree with us. But that doesn’t help us grow or learn.

For those in management roles, take a page out of Apple’s former chief design officer Jony Ive’s book, who has said, “A manager’s most

important role is to ‘give the quiet ones a voice’.” The author goes on to say, “To listen does not mean, or even imply, that you agree with someone. It simply means you accept the legitimacy of the other person’s point of view and that you might have something to learn from it.”

Gone are the days when we sat on the front porch and listened to stories as moths gathered around the lights. I suspect we could all benefit from practising good listening skills. After all, as the author reminds us, “Evolution gave us eyelids so we can close our eyes but no corresponding structure to close off our ears. It suggests listening is essential to our survival”. n

SIGNS OF AFRICAN SWINE FEVER A N T E M O RT E M I N S P E C T I O N

Skin discolouration: Cyanosis, erythemia, ecchymotic or petechial haemorrhage

Piling or huddling

Sudden, high mortality (farm or yards)

R E P O RT A N Y S I G N S O F A F R I C A N S W I N E F E V E R

TO M P I: 0800 80 99 66

For more info: nzpork.co.nz/asf/ OR biosecurity.govt.nz/african-swine-fever

High temperatures

Diarrhoea, possibly bloody

Information and images courtesy: US National Pork Board and USDA:APHIS Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the Plum Island Animal Disease Centre (PIADC).

NEWS AND VIEWS

WORLD VETERINARY ASSOCIATION CONGRESS GOES VIRTUAL THE NZVA IS excited to announce that the

Trained CT technologists Kylie Thomson (left) and Wendy Te Aho are on hand to help scan animals like dog Wicket.

CT AND MRI SCANNERS AVAILABLE FOR VETERINARY USE PACIFIC RADIOLOGY GROUP has a high-specification computed tomography (CT) scanner and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner available for research and veterinary diagnostic use. Both scanners are located at Lincoln University, and can be accessed through referrals from local veterinarians.

CT scans are are a way to thoroughly investigate medical conditions that affect animals, including foreign bodies, nasal disease in dogs and cats, trauma or bone abnormalities.

The scanner can handle animals weighing up to 200 kilograms.

CT scans can also be produced in more detail with contrast injections, for conditions such as cancer and infectious processes. The contrast is easily administered through the cannula placed for sedation and highlights vessels and anatomy.

Owners wanting to be involved in their pets’ care are welcome to watch the scans and take photos if they wish.

The MRI scanner produces high-quality images showing details of joints and anatomy that are not possible with CT scans. Last year more than 90 animals were MRI scanned for veterinarians, mostly for conditions such as neural disease and internal joint derangement.

Technologists at Pacific Radiology are highly trained and have extensive experience in scanning both humans and animals. The radiologists usually report scans within a day, and if further reporting is required images can be made available to veterinarians and veterinary radiologists around the country.

Appointments for scans generally depend on demand. CT sessions are run mostly on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and MRI sessions on Tuesday evenings. For more information, contact Pacific Radiology on 0800 869 729 ext. 9302 or email hightech@ pacificradiology.com. n CT scans can be enhanced using contrast, like the image on the right.

12 – VetScript May 2020

36th World Veterinary Association Congress (WVAC), which was previously cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, has moved online and is being delivered in the form of a threeweek virtual festival.

The festival started on 26 April New Zealand time, or 25 April European time, to coincide with World Veterinary Day. But it’s not too late to join in! Registrations are still open.

Delegates are able to access more than 130 hours of content – including all 13 streams and many of the same speakers as were planned for the physical congress – but now from the safety and comfort of their home computers.

The festival is made possible thanks to the partnership between the NZVA and online conference company The Webinar Vet. The WVAC festival is a mixture of live and recorded lectures. Live lectures are taking place at times that are accessible to most time zones worldwide. Still worried you might miss your favourite speaker? Fear not! All lectures will be available for six months on The Webinar Vet website after the start of the festival.

There’s even a virtual exhibition hall, where delegates can answer questions to win awesome prizes like Amazon or restaurant vouchers, or sponsors’ products.

Delegates who have already registered for the physical WVAC have been offered a package of CPD opportunities. Registration for new delegates is still available at an affordable price and at https://wvac2020. thewebinarvet.com. People can continue to register for the entire six months that the festival is available online.

Congress Project Manager Leanne Fecser says, “Out of adversity comes innovation and we’re delighted about the opportunity to move the congress online”.

For more information, to view currently available content and to register visit https://wvac2020. thewebinarvet.com. n

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NEWS AND VIEWS VetScript 15.ccw 1

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angular pieces of cartilage 14 – VetScript May 2020

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NEWS AND VIEWS

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

CORNELL UNIVERSITY Clinicians present the case of a cat with complete obstruction of the distal bile duct.

They preserved the proximal bile duct and re-implanted it. The cat recovered and was asymptomatic for six months, but then had a cancer relapse and was subsequently euthanased. The authors demonstrate that re-implantation is a surgical option where the proximal bile duct is preserved and the gall bladder is not available. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC6741818

VETSUISSE FACULTY BERN AND ZURICH Researchers from the University of Bern, part of the Vetsuisse Faculty Bern and Zurich, reviewed the diagnosis, pathogenesis and prevention of Clostridium perfringens infection in pigs. They describe hallmark lesions, the disease’s isolation from intestinal samples, recent developments in understanding the pathogenesis of the disease, and prevention through immunisation. They note the challenges of differentiating disease-free and pathogen-free herd status due to the fact that C. perfringens can persist in animals’ environments and intestinal tracts. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31955664

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY A review by Ángel Abuelo, Assistant Professor in Cattle Health and Wellbeing, discusses the effects of heifer maternal stress during late gestation on calves’ growth, productivity, metabolism and health. He also discusses maternal intervention strategies to improve neonatal health. The hopes are that a better understanding of intrauterine conditions could lead to management practices that improve neonatal development and cow productivity. www.journalofdairyscience. org/article/S00220302(20)30078-3/fulltext

In a paper published in Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, researchers reported on an investigation into the ex vivo effects of sequential cranial cruciate ligament transection, medial meniscal release and triple tibial osteotomy on the stability of the canine stifle joint.

They found that medial meniscal release resulted in additional cranial tibial subluxation when compared to cranial cruciate ligament transection.

Triple tibial osteotomy restored stifle stability up to a 125-degree joint angle. www.thieme-connect.de/ products/ejournals/ abstract/10.1055/s0039-1700989

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE University of Melbourne researchers, together with researchers from Monash University and La Trobe University, present a rat model for neurological heterotopic ossification (NHO) that combines traumatic brain injury, femoral fracture and muscle crush injury. They hope to use this model for future studies to identify NHO’s underlying mechanisms and develop evidence-based treatments. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. bone.2020.115263

VetScript May 2020 – 15

MASSEY

NEWS AND VIEWS

UNIVERSITY

RESEARCH UPDATE

Livestock health and climate change: how prepared are we?

Emilie Vallee, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Epidemiology at Massey University, and Masako Wada, Postdoctoral Fellow in Veterinary Epidemiology at the School of Veterinary Science, describe their research into diseases’ sensitivity to climate change – and the implications for New Zealand farms.

BACKGROUND We now know that climate change is highly likely unescapable. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research’s (NIWA’s) projections for New Zealand include a temperature increase of 0.8° Celsius by 2040 and 1.6° Celsius by 2110, a change in rainfall patterns and an increase in extreme weather events (Ministry for the Environment, 2017). However, these projections depict considerably varying climate futures depending on the different greenhouse gas emission scenarios based

16 – VetScript May 2020

on human behaviours, so the current efforts should be continued or intensified.

In its 2019 Climate Change and Land report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) points out the role of intensive and inefficient farming in contributing to greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2019). It is often overlooked that animals as well as farming communities will also be negatively affected by the consequences.

The expected direct effects on livestock welfare and health include heat stress

and exposure to extreme weather events, and the indirect effects include changes in the distribution of arthropod vectors, intermediate hosts and pathogens, and an increased incidence of water-borne diseases. We have already seen evidence of this, such as the increase in Leptospira spp. prevalence in lambs after floods (Dorjee et al., 2008). We also know that the risk of ruminants being infected with liver fluke could increase by up to 186% by 2090 (Haydock et al., 2016) and that some regions in the South Island may become more environmentally suitable for Haemaphysalis longicornis, the vector of the Theileria orientalis parasite in New Zealand (Lawrence et al., 2017).

Most livestock diseases in New Zealand have some form of seasonality or climate sensitivity, although it is difficult to summarise and prioritise their importance.

Our team, with funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI’s) Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change programme, reviewed the climate sensitivity of livestock diseases present and endemic in New Zealand, prioritised them, identified sources of animal health data that could be used for preparedness, and designed some scenarios for the top five diseases of importance. The team comprised (in addition to the authors) Naomi Cogger, Jackie Benschop and Jonathan Marshall from Massey University and Gregor Macara from NIWA. METHODS For this project we worked alongside a stakeholder and technical advisory group (STAG) comprising representatives from MPI, the NZVA, SPCA, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and DairyNZ. We began by creating a list of 41 diseases endemic in New Zealand livestock based on the research team’s knowledge, Massey’s undergraduate curriculum and the STAG’s input. We then systematically reviewed these diseases’ climate sensitivity with the help of undergraduate veterinary students from Massey University.

At a STAG workshop we established a list of criteria to score and rank the

IMAGERY: SUPPLIED

NEWS AND VIEWS

diseases by asking “What does it mean for a disease to be important for climate change preparedness?”. The STAG was also asked to identify possible sources of longitudinal and cross-sectional animal health data.

For a case study for facial eczema, we used VetEnt’s seven years of spore count monitoring data (thanks to Emma Cuttance) to model the association between spore counts and climate by machine learning methods. We then used NIWA’s projections for Waikato to forecast the start and duration of spore seasons and the magnitude of spore peak.

For another case study we used a crosssectional data set (Yupiana et al., 2019) to model the association between Leptospira shedding and seasonal profiles of the sampling locations, as well as weather conditions two weeks before sampling.

Finally, we conducted three qualitative scenarios (for salmonellosis, mastitis and barber’s pole), summarising the information by region.

RESULTS The literature on the evidence of disease sensitivity to climate was highly variable between diseases, and tended to correlate with the extent of the research efforts.

Generally, parasitic diseases with freeliving stages and infectious diseases caused by pathogens that can survive outside the hosts showed the greatest sensitivity, and were therefore more likely to be affected by climate change.

Using criteria relating to disease control, economic, social and welfare impacts, and climate sensitivity, the research determined that facial eczema, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, mastitis and barber’s pole were the top five livestock diseases of concern for New Zealand’s climate change preparedness.

The facial eczema models forecast an average increase in peak facial eczema spore counts of 2,000–3,000 spores/g each year, and an earlier start of alert-level spore counts (2.6 weeks earlier by 2100).

The existing data on the Leptospira models did not show any significant association between Leptospira shedding

AT A TIME WHEN FARMERS’ MENTAL HEALTH IS ALREADY WORRYING, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR FARMERS, VETERINARIANS AND RESEARCHERS TO WORK TOGETHER TO ANTICIPATE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMPROVE OUR RESILIENCE.

and climate variables, highlighting the need for longitudinal data to build quantitative scenarios.

We found that the risk of Salmonella brandenburg abortion in sheep was likely to increase with rising temperature and rainfall levels throughout the country. And we found that the incidence of mastitis was likely to increase with increasing temperature and similar or increasing rainfall, and that there may be indirect effects of climate change on mastitis, such as after a power outage caused by floods.

Finally and interestingly, the limiting factor for the barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) development cycle is currently low temperatures, but it is likely to become drought as average temperatures increase by 2100. This suggests a possible shift in seasonality by 2100, from a low-risk winter and spring to a low-risk dry season in the northern and eastern parts of the North Island.

RELEVANCE At a time when farmers’ mental health is already worrying, it is important for farmers, veterinarians and researchers to work together to anticipate the impacts of climate change and improve our resilience.

More attention should be paid to climate change impacts and mitigation when discussing herd health plans.

Veterinary practices may also need to adjust the timing of their support, such as by measuring spore counts earlier or adjusting drenching programmes. To help identify the risks linked with climate

impacts and prescribe the necessary changes in management, we will provide the context and resources by sharing the findings of our review and models on a dedicated website that will be available later in the year.

We hope to keep this area of research growing by developing our networks, looking at more animal species and diseases in detail, and providing further advice on the role of veterinarians.

REFERENCES: Dorjee S, Heuer C, Jackson R, West DM, CollinsEmerson JM, Midwinter AC, Ridler AL. Prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in sheep in a sheep-only abattoir in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 56, 164–70, 2008 Haydock LAJ, Pomroy WE, Stevenson MA, Lawrence KE. A growing degree-day model for determination of Fasciola hepatica infection risk in New Zealand with future predictions using climate change models. Veterinary Parasitology 228, 52–9, 2016 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Climate Change and Land. www.ipcc.ch/site/ assets/uploads/sites/4/2020/02/SRCCL-CompleteBOOK-LRES.pdf (accessed 19 March 2020). 2019 Lawrence KE, Summers SR, Heath ACG, McFadden AMJ, Pulford DJ, Tait AB, Pomroy WE. Using a rule-based envelope model to predict the expansion of habitat suitability within New Zealand for the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis, with future projections based on two climate change scenarios.

Veterinary Parasitology 243, 226–34, 2017 Ministry for the Environment. Climate Change Projections for New Zealand: Atmosphere Projections Based on Simulations from the IPCC Fifth Assessment.

2nd Edtn. Ministry for the Environment, Wellington, New Zealand, 2017 Yupiana Y, Vallee E, Wilson P, Collins-Emerson J, Weston J, Benschop J, Heuer C. Emerging Leptospira strain poses public health risk for dairy farmers in New Zealand. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 170, 2019

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

VetScript May 2020 – 17

NEWS AND VIEWS

LONG AND LOW The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is warning prospective dog owners about the potential health and welfare problems that can afflict dogs with long, low body types. This follows the top award at Crufts being given to a Wire-Haired Dachshund, raising concerns that the popularity of the breed may rise. The BVA is warning of the risk of serious spinal and neurological issues, citing research showing that “the risk of intervertebral disc disease is 10 to 12 times higher than in other dog breeds, with at least one fifth of all dachshunds showing clinical signs in their life”. Of particular concern, the BVA states that the breed is on the way to becoming the UK’s most fashionable.

Welfare and ethics

UPDATE

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

18 – VetScript May 2020

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

NEWS AND VIEWS

EU ANIMAL WELFARE In December 2019 the Council of the European Union published its conclusions on animal welfare as an integral part of sustainable animal production (Council of the European Union, 2019), including the following: » Good animal welfare is an integral part of sustainable animal production. » Good animal welfare in any context improves animal health and reduces the need to use antibiotics, and consequently reduces antimicrobial resistance. » Animal welfare legislation could be further developed or updated to take into account practical problems in the existing legislation, more recent scientific knowledge and technical development, in order to improve animal welfare and harmonisation. » The report stressed the need to improve the welfare of animals during transport over long distances, including finding solutions that facilitate enforcement of the existing transport legislation. » Both the importance of promoting animal welfare globally as well as the competition that European Union farmers are facing in global trade are recognised. Consequently, the report stressed the importance of including animal welfare in free trade agreements as far as possible, seeing these agreements as one of the ways in which to promote animal welfare globally.

REFERENCE: Council of the European Union. Council conclusions on animal welfare – an integral part of sustainable animal production. www.consilium.europa.eu/media/41863/ st14975-en19.pdf (accessed 19 March 2020), 2019

NATIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (NAWAC) APPOINTMENTS The Minister for Primary Industries has made the following appointments to NAWAC: » Peter Mason provides the committee with knowledge and experience of environmental and conservation management as well as animal welfare advocacy. Peter is a freelance animal welfare consultant who previously worked for several years at World Animal Protection and is a former president of SPCA. » Sandra Faulkner is a successful farmer, businesswoman and community stalwart. She provides the committee with knowledge and experience of the commercial use of animals. » Craig Johnson is a veterinary scientist with expertise in pain management. He is a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Registered Specialist and a former member of NAWAC. He provides the committee with knowledge and experience of veterinary science, animal welfare advocacy, and ethical standards and conduct in respect of animals.

NAWAC Chair Gwyn Verkerk, retired veterinarian and scientist, and Nick Poutu, Technical Advisor (Animal Threats) with the Department of Conservation, have both been reappointed for second three-year terms.

A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC… A Chinese trial looked at the effects of music in mitigating stress in weaned piglets (Wang et al., 2019). At 35 days piglets were randomly divided into four groups – no music (control), light music, classical music and rock music. The volume was set at 65 decibels and the music was played from 8am to 5pm for 15 days. Piglet behaviour was recorded on days two, eight and 15, and salivary cortisol was recorded on days three and 14. The light-music group won hands down, with significantly increased playful, inquiry and modification behaviour and a significantly reduced occurrence of fighting behaviour. In addition, the level of cortisol at 14 days was significantly lower than it was in the other three groups, indicating that light music was helpful in improving the welfare levels of weaned piglets.

REFERENCE: Wang G, Ren S, Ren T, Wang S, Ji X, Gao X, Li B. Effects of music types on welfare level of weaned piglets. Swine Production 1, 84–6, 2019

SCOTTISH ANIMAL WELFARE COMMISSION An independent Animal Welfare Commission has been appointed to provide scientific and ethical advice to the Scottish Government.

The 12 members all have expertise in animal welfare, whether as veterinarians, animal scientists, lawyers or policymakers, and will consider: » how the welfare needs of sentient animals are being met by devolved policy » possible legislative and non-legislative routes to further protect the welfare of sentient animals » the research required for an evidence base for future policy development.

The commission will be chaired by Professor Cathy Dwyer of Scotland’s Rural College and the University of Edinburgh.

Unlike those serving on NAWAC, the members of the Scottish commission will receive no financial remuneration for their time.

VetScript May 2020 – 19

NEWS AND VIEWS

Absent but present Andrew Bates, Scientific Editor of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal, introduces us to a special issue post the cancellation of the WVAC. THIS MONTH’S ISSUE of the NZVJ focuses on the 36th World Veterinary Association Congress (WVAC), which was planned for Auckland in April 2020.

Some of the congress’s international and national experts, covering clinical veterinary medicine, veterinary public health, animal welfare and academic research, were invited to produce review articles for this issue. They’re introduced in a guest editorial by David Senior, Chair of the WVAC Scientific Programme Committee.

The first article, from Neil Sargison, of The University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, outlines the crucial role of individually tailored animal health plans in improving the productivity of small ruminant farming systems. These systems can be major drivers of food production in many developing countries, and increasing production efficiency can have far-reaching societal and environmental benefits. Using parasitism

20 – VetScript May 2020

control as an example, he suggests that effective engagement in, and delivery of, sustainable production goals can be achieved by adopting planned approaches to animal health, nutrition and welfare.

John Mee and Laura Boyle, of the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre at Moorepark, Ireland, provide a comparative assessment of the welfare of dairy cows in pasture-based versus confinementbased systems. Looking at disease, the expression of natural behaviours and the animals’ affective states they argue that access to pasture is essential if animals are to have positive emotions and lives worth living.

David Mellor, formerly from Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science, and Martin Burns, from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), describe the development of NZTR’s Thoroughbred welfare assessment programme. Based on the Five Domains model, the programme considers the nutritional, health, behavioural and environmental aspects of welfare in conjunction with an assessment of positive and negative affective states.

Guidelines aimed at all stages of a Thoroughbred’s life have been developed and expressed in a practical and usable framework for people.

In a review of the role of physical therapy after orthopaedic surgery in companion animals, Wendy Baltzer, from Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science, discusses how it can improve the rate and extent of recovery. She covers the benefits of a range of physical therapy techniques, drawing on a wide range of sources including recently published work on the effects of physical therapy on recovery in companion animals, medical literature using companion animals as experimental models, and comparative studies from the human field. She also provides general guidelines and tips on how to use different techniques, making this a valuable resource for the companion animal practitioner.

Richmond Loh, from an ornamental fish specialty practice in Australia, describes the barriers and potential

advantages to veterinary involvement in the care of ornamental fish. Factors such as the low intrinsic value of many individual fish and a lack of veterinary education in this area contribute to a climate where ornamental fish owners frequently refer to pet shops, lay specialists or the internet for advice.

Richmond discusses the need for additional training in the already crowded veterinary curriculum, with one solution being more postgraduate training for interested veterinarians.

A second practitioner review comes from Chris Pearce, a private equine dental specialist in the UK. Chris outlines some recent advances that are leading to a revolution in the quality of treatment and understanding of prophylaxis in equine dental management. Starting with some new findings from anatomical research, he discusses routine dental maintenance, periodontal disease, dental extractions and restorative and endodontic dentistry.

For anyone who has ever been on the wrong end of a tooth rasp, this paper is a revelation and inspiration.

In addition to these congress papers, the May issue also features articles on sedation in miniature donkeys, the effect of nematode infection on beef productivity and a study looking at the prophylaxis from vitamin A, D and E injection during pregnancy on sheep vaginal prolapse.

To accompany this print issue, the WVAC reviews have been collected into a virtual special issue, which can be accessed on the NZVJ website at www. tandfonline.com/toc/tnzv20/current (select the link under journal news).

Members of the NZVA can access any articles published in the NZVJ by logging in to SciQuest (www.sciquest.org.nz). More information about the NZVJ can be found at www.vetjournal.org.nz.

You can contact the editors at nzvj@vets.org.nz.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Clinical records under the microscope VCNZ’s Seton Butler looks at the role and requirements of clinical records in veterinary practice. How important are they, and how’s your compliance?

THE CODE OF Professional Conduct, under the Veterinarians Act 2005, states that Veterinarians must maintain clear and accurate clinical records.

WHAT IS A CLINICAL RECORD? A medical record is a legal document that represents a veterinarian’s thought processes, decisions, judgements, actions and interactions with others including clients, colleagues, other caregivers, specialists and laboratories. It’s also a communication tool that facilitates continuity of care for animals, both within and between veterinary care teams.

WHAT DOES ‘CLEAR AND ACCURATE RECORDS’ MEAN? According to the code, clear and accurate records: show an adequate and accurate history; contain an adequate record of the physical and clinical examination; contain detail, where indicated, on the environment in which the animals under investigation are kept; contain evidence of adopted treatment strategies; retain evidence of consent to the treatment plan strategies.

Try using the problem-oriented veterinary medical records plan – either SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment/ analysis, plan) or HEAP (history, exam, assessment, plan).

WHAT DOES THE CODE SPECIFY FOR CLINICAL RECORDS? The code states: The records must be of such detail that another veterinarian could take over the management of the case at any time.

A veterinary consultation must include the veterinarian collecting and recording sufficient information relevant to the

individual circumstances to ensure the proposed course of action (including treatment) is appropriate to meet the needs and best interests of the animal(s) and client.

Veterinarians also have a responsibility to provide information to clients to prevent any residues showing up in produce as a result of treating an animal with a veterinary medicine.

Veterinarians must facilitate the traceability of RVMs that have been authorised for use in production animals: They must ensure through their own clinical records; records of written authorisations they have provided to clients; and labelling of products they have dispensed that the treatment of an individual animal can be linked back to a specific authorisation.

Over and above the pride we take in doing a good job, clear and concise clinical records can be crucial to a veterinarian’s ability to defend their actions. They provide powerful evidence of the circumstances of a case, what was said and what was done – and that’s good!

Where more than one veterinarian is providing services to the same client the general principle is that the veterinarians concerned, with the client’s consent, liaise and share relevant information.

When asked to provide clinical records about an ongoing clinical case to another practice … The provision of relevant clinical records ensures that all veterinarians providing services to the animal(s) have relevant historical clinical information.

This makes sense if we want to ensure the best outcomes for animals and their owners. It preserves a client’s right to use the services of more than one veterinarian or to seek a second opinion and for the veterinarian it avoids embarrassment

should another veterinarian or insurer read the records.

Clinical records belong to the owners of the veterinary practice. However, the information in them is the client’s.

Clinical records should contain all relevant information including case notes, X-rays, lab results, drugs used and treatment details.

Individuals have the right to access the personal information held by veterinarians about themselves (including information about their animals).

This suggests to me that we have a responsibility to ensure information is accurate and complete.

Veterinarians must make practice records available to inform any review of their competence.

At times I wonder if this has a counterintuitive effect on veterinarians, where they think, “If I don’t write anything they can’t prove I’m incompetent”.

I believe the intent is that as long as a sound process is followed, even if there are decision errors along the way, it is far better than no obvious process at all.

VCNZ understands we’re all human and knows that no-one has practised error free... ever!

PUTTING RECORD-KEEPING INTO THE HUMAN CONTEXT On reflection, I believe that not maintaining appropriate clinical records would be letting down the animals we serve and care for, our clients, not to mention ourselves.

In the context of my own health, I would expect no less (and probably more) than a good standard of record-keeping from my health practitioner... so why would we expect any less from veterinarians?

VetScript May 2020 – 21

NEWS PROFILE AND VIEWS

22 – VetScript May 2020

PROFILE

Overseeing THE BIG PICTURE Boyd Jones, Chair of the NZVJ Editorial Board, and Sarah Fowler, current NZVJ Editor-in-Chief, speak to former editor-in-chief Fiona Rhodes about her career pathway and her experience in this important role.

FIONA RHODES’S WIDE-RANGING career in veterinary medicine has spanned a variety of roles around the globe. She was a teaching clinician at The University of Edinburgh, a general practitioner in Scotland and Northern Ireland and a researcher in bovine reproduction in Townsville, Australia and Hamilton, New Zealand. She even milked goats for three years while her children were little!

This breadth of experience contributed a great deal to her success as editorin-chief of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal (NZVJ), especially when it came to editing articles on the broad range of veterinary topics that the journal covers.

Fiona started as an editor at the journal in 2008 and was editor-in-chief for six years.

She retired from that role in February.

Fiona grew up in the UK and from a young age had a particular interest in dairy cattle. “I always wanted to be a veterinarian, right from when I was 10,” she says. “Then along came James Herriot and so did everybody else.” The success of the James Herriot books increased enrolments

PHOTOGRAPHY: PETER DRURY

in veterinary training programmes, so as a second choice Fiona opted for an undergraduate degree in agricultural science at The University of Edinburgh.

Once that was complete (with a first class pass) she gained a veterinary degree at the same institution.

After teaching ruminant medicine at the university for three years,

A master’s degree in tropical veterinary medicine from James Cook University in Australia followed, then a PhD on reproduction in zebu cattle. It was during this time that Fiona really developed her skills in critical thinking, study design and academic writing and publication – thanks in large part to her mentors James Kinder and Peter Jolly, both leaders in the animal health, agriculture and reproduction fields.

Those skills would become essential to her role as an editor. While attention to detail is a critical skill for editors of scientific journals, Fiona feels it’s important that they also consider the ‘big picture’ of an article – that is, the

“I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A VETERINARIAN, RIGHT FROM WHEN I WAS 10. THEN ALONG CAME JAMES HERRIOT AND SO DID EVERYBODY ELSE.”

Fiona went looking for a break from routine cattle work. She found it at a general practice on Islay, a rugged and windswept island off the west coast of Scotland with a population of just over 4,000. “The whole island was like a small town – you drove around and everyone waved to you,” Fiona says.

aim of a study and whether the authors have achieved it.

But editing was not yet on the cards for the newly capped Fiona.

Instead, she joined the Dairying Research Corporation (now DairyNZ) in Hamilton, New Zealand as a postdoctoral research scientist.

VetScript May 2020 – 23

PROFILE

She says the move was an easy decision. “New Zealand was doing cattle reproduction research in ‘whole animals’ – everyone else was doing only in vitro cellular work, and I wasn’t keen to sit in a lab.”

Fiona went on to spend three years leasing a commercial dairy goat farm with her husband, Scott McDougall, whom she’d met during her doctoral studies. While goat farming gave her precious time with her two young daughters it had many challenges, and Fiona was happy to leave the goats behind and move on to her next adventure. She still wanted time with her daughters, but in a role that aligned more with her scientific, research and clinical skills.

24 – VetScript May 2020

In 2008 her wish came true in the role of scientific editor of the NZVJ. The then managing editor (and her former PhD mentor), Peter Jolly, had recognised Fiona’s skills and experience in writing and reviewing scientific articles, and asked her if she’d like to jump on board.

When the then editor-in-chief Petra Muellner resigned in 2014, it was Fiona’s turn to take the reins. She was initially doubtful about this permanent role, but encouragement from others, a desire for challenge and a list of improvements she’d like to make made her change her mind.

When Fiona became editor-in-chief the journal already had an international readership thanks to Peter’s work in

making all articles dating back to 1952 available online. He’d also started the annual special feature review series.

Fiona recalls that, when she started as scientific editor, each article had to be presented as four hard copies, and one was returned to the author with the required changes annotated in red ink.

As access to the internet grew, Fiona worked closely with Peter to enable authors to submit their articles digitally.

Despite the push into the digital age, some authors said that they missed receiving their annotated copy. Petra oversaw the move to the Scholar One online platform. “There were lots of issues at the time but we worked our way through them,” she says. The online submission and reviewing systems

NEWS AND VIEWS

became increasingly complex and Fiona was there every step of the way.

It’s hard yards like these that readers don’t often see. The NZVJ editor-inchief often has a silent, but essential, role in disseminating new clinical and scientific information to the journal’s wide readership.

The journal is a flagship for the NZVA and veterinary science in New Zealand, and a demonstration of the NZVA’s commitment to evidence-based veterinary medicine and the highest standards of ethics and animal welfare.

The editor-in-chief is required to uphold high editorial and scientific standards of journal content and maintain editorial policies on, for example, the journal’s scope, misconduct issues, confidentiality and conflicts of interest, while also managing the peer-review process and ensuring the on-time production of every issue.

The NZVJ has an advisory editorial board, but the editor-in-chief makes any final decisions on the merits or otherwise of submitted papers.

Fiona says they also make the hard decisions required to maintain the journal’s standards. “It was always Peter’s philosophy, and I tried to stick

“NEW ZEALAND WAS DOING CATTLE REPRODUCTION RESEARCH IN ‘WHOLE ANIMALS’ – EVERYONE ELSE WAS DOING ONLY IN VITRO CELLULAR WORK, AND I WASN’T KEEN TO SIT IN A LAB.”

to it, that it was our job to work with authors as much as possible to get their articles published without dropping the journal’s standards.”

Many authors thanked Fiona for her mentorship, patience and editorial ‘pen’, which ensured their articles were up to scratch and something to be proud of. Fiona too found great satisfaction in this process.

Fiona believes it’s crucial that editors also relate with respect and consideration to the people involved

in the process of scientific publishing – whether they’re authors, reviewers, publishers or readers. During her time as editor-in-chief she mentored a number of new scientific editors, instilling her principles of high academic standards, integrity and respect and creating a supportive organisational culture.

As for the readers, many commented positively on the selection of cover photographs. Many of the ‘stars’ were family’s or friends’ pets or livestock and her daughter Faye was sometimes the lead photographer.

As for the future, Fiona doesn’t have firm plans yet, but she does have a host of ideas.

Note from the authors: The New Zealand Veterinary Journal is one of the world’s leading veterinary journals, with a wide generalist readership. All members must thank Fiona for her input as editor-in-chief in producing a journal of such a high standard; her care and attention to detail were superb. We, on behalf of all NZVA members, thank Fiona for her excellent decade of editorship and wish her well in whatever she decides to do.

VetScript May 2020 – 25

NEWS COVER AND STORY VIEWS

HIGHS, LOWS and lessons

Jacqui Gibson asks three veterinary leaders about their experiences in the profession.

Rachael Fouhy Rachael Fouhy, 39, graduated from Massey University in 2005. Today she is a parttime mixed animal veterinarian at Tararua Veterinary Services within the Totally Vets Group. She spends most of her time as a production veterinarian, with special interests in sheep and beef production, parasitology and reproduction.

26 – VetScript May 2020

What sort of leadership role(s) do you perform?

Rachael: Right now I’m lead clinical veterinarian at Tararua Veterinary Services and joint leader of the Totally Vets sheep, beef and deer group. Both roles involve mentoring others to grow personally and professionally. I also look out for new ways to develop the business and boost earnings. In 2015 I became a Totally Vets Group director. More recently I joined the NZVA Sheep, Beef and Deer – CPD Advisory Group and the NZVA’s Veterinary Business Branch.

What’s been your career highlight so far?

Rachael: That’s hard to answer.

Probably my career highlight has been seeing new graduates and young veterinarians grow and develop, then set off after three or four years as strong, competent veterinarians. I never get tired of watching someone learn.

What’s been fundamental to your getting to where you are today?

Rachael: I’d say having a sense of optimism, being prepared to give things a go and seeing the positive in most situations. To me, having the ongoing support of my family and working to encourage progressive people are crucial too.

PHOTOGRAPHY: KEVIN BILLS

NEWS COVER AND STORY VIEWS

Rachael says it is possible to work, have a family and hold leadership positions but that it takes hard work and support.

VetScript May 2020 – 27

COVER STORY

What have you found challenging in your career?

Rachael: What hasn’t been challenging?

One biggie is the all-elusive work-life balance and juggling after-hours with young kids and a farming husband.

On top of that I’ve recently had a bout of compassion fatigue, and found the repetitive physical nature of the job has taken its toll on my body.

How do you overcome challenges?

Rachael: Having a supportive family is crucial. I’ve found having interests outside work helps. Continual learning is another good tool too.

How do you balance your professional and personal lives?

Rachael: It’s not easy! But it’s useful to know that work will always be there and there will always be a thousand reasons to keep working, especially in small communities where you have close relationships with your clients and see them on a regular basis outside work.

How can we support people to become leaders or managers?

Rachael: My personal view is that anyone can be a leader, regardless of their position, but people need support and encouragement to grow. Our company has run a variety of leadership courses for staff in the past couple of years and it’s really paying dividends. We’ve found ongoing leadership training (eg, block courses) works well. You can practise what you learn, then share what you’ve learned with others. However, training needs to complement your existing skills.

In a rural mixed practice, I’d also say leadership starts with being a competent all-round veterinarian. Finally, I believe it’s important to recognise there’s a big difference between leadership and management and that management requires a unique set of skills.

How can we keep talented people in the veterinary profession?

Rachael: If I’m honest about clinical practice, I’d say we need to review how we

28 – VetScript May 2020

Shalsee Vigeant I BELIEVE IT’S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNISE THERE’S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT AND THAT MANAGEMENT REQUIRES A UNIQUE SET OF SKILLS.

provide after-hours care – it can really take its toll on veterinarians and their families.

I think we should expose more people to the profession early as a way to manage their expectations and encourage the right people into the field.

What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?

Rachael: I’d say work hard, but remember to stay positive and realise your job isn’t your identity. Find the right partner and say yes to opportunities that come up.

My other gem would be to learn some self-awareness skills as early as you can – success and satisfaction in this job comes down to people skills. It’s a people job as much as it is an animal-care job.

What are your goals?

Rachael: I’d like to continue being a good employer and developing the next generation of veterinarians. I’d like to increase my reproductive services to clients. I’ve recently attended a cattle embryo transfer course and our business is also venturing into sheep embryo transfer. Functioning well, having a work-life balance and staying sane are other key goals!

Shalsee Vigeant, 43, graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in the West Indies in 2007. Today she is part owner, manager and veterinarian at the Animal Emergency Centre in Auckland.

What sort of leadership role(s) do you perform?

Shalsee: I’m involved in a wide range of leadership roles, from clinic management to employing new graduates. I also work with Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science from time to time. I help out with Massey’s Prelude to Practice, a programme for fifth-year students, VetStart, for first-year students, and the day it puts on for third-year students to prepare them for clinics. I’m also President of the NZVA’s Auckland regional network.

What’s been your career highlight so far?

Shalsee: For me, it’s always been about knowing I’ve made an animal’s life better. Sometimes I find that buzz is in a successful surgical case or a positive outcome for a pet owner. More recently it’s been a highlight to have younger veterinarians and veterinary students come to me for advice. It means I’m somehow doing something right.

What’s been fundamental to your getting to where you are today?

Shalsee: I tend to be confident and push the envelope a little (or a lot). Doing that usually leads to coming up with answers to difficult questions and finding opportunities to learn. I think it’s healthy to be humble about your knowledge.

There’s always someone who knows more than you, someone you can learn from.

What have you found challenging in your career?

Shalsee: Complacency in our profession – I think we’re somewhat resistant to change and we don’t collaborate well. To me, though, the longer we ‘silo’ ourselves, the less we grow and the less opportunity there is to improve things.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

NEWS AND VIEWS

Shalsee Vigeant sees patient care and positive patient outcomes as the core of everything they do at the Animal Emergency Centre.

How do you overcome challenges?

Shalsee: I surround myself with people who are constantly pursuing higherquality medicine. I spend time (where I can) with veterinary school students, new graduates and people with a passion for our profession. I stick to my bottom line, which is: ‘what’s going to make this animal’s life better?’ and ‘do no harm’.

How do you balance your professional and personal lives?

Shalsee: I try to be honest with myself about what I need to be happy. Mostly it involves leaving work at work, doing physical activity and having friends outside work. It has meant leaving a job when it became detrimental to my health and saying no when I needed to.

How can we support people to become leaders or managers?

Shalsee: One word: training. We tend to move people into management or leadership roles without training or guidance, because they’re good at leadership. But we set people up to fail if we don’t invest in them as leaders.

What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?

Shalsee: At 15 I was told to find a profession that I was happy about when I woke up in the morning and happy about when I went to sleep at night. That’s worked for me and I’d recommend that general principle to any young person.

How can we keep talented people in the veterinary profession?

Shalsee: There are three main things I can think of – collaboration so people don’t feel isolated, training so people can overcome things they find difficult, and honesty so your staff know what they are good at, what they are not so good at and how to improve at work.

What are your goals?

Shalsee: I’m still figuring out my goals as time goes on. Do I want to keep teaching and moulding the next generation? Do I want to be a voice for wellness in our profession? I know I want to help our profession grow and improve because I think it’s one of the most noble, rewarding and challenging professions on the planet.

VetScript May 2020 – 29

NEWS AND VIEWS

A veterinary pathologist by trade, Wendi Roe also supervises several PhD students.

If he’d been fully focused on his career and not willing to work in with my plans, my career and life direction would have been very different.

What have you found challenging in your career?

Wendi: Over the years I have got a lot better at saying no to things, but I still haven’t really conquered the feeling of guilt afterwards – am I letting someone down or making more work for someone else by not taking things on?

How do you overcome challenges?

Wendi: I’m still working on it.

How do you balance your professional and personal lives?

Wendi: For me, it’s more ‘teeter’ than ‘balance’. For a long time I felt I just did everything badly, but the world didn’t end and the kids have turned out great.

I slowly started to realise that you don’t have to do it all perfectly, just try to do your best.

Wendi Roe Wendi Roe, 55, graduated from Massey University in 1990. Today she is Deputy Head of School at the School of Veterinary Science at Massey University.

What sort of leadership role(s) do you perform?

Wendi: My current role is a mix of research, teaching and management.

For the past 15 years I’ve focused on marine mammals in my diagnostic and research work. I’m on a number of science advisory groups and I lead our postgraduate programme and support the head of school as deputy.

What’s been your career highlight so far?

Wendi: Walking across the stage at graduation to collect my PhD was a

30 – VetScript May 2020

fantastic feeling. Now I feel the same sense of pride every time one of my students walks across the stage. I’ve been lucky to work with some incredible people and travel to some fantastic places. Waking up and seeing a colony of New Zealand sea lions right outside the hut window on Enderby Island is an experience that will take some beating.

What’s been fundamental to your getting to where you are today?

Wendi: Taking up opportunities, particularly the unexpected ones, and not just heading doggedly in one direction.

I’ve never really had a plan. So far it’s turned out pretty well. It might sound odd, particularly as my husband and I are now separated, but having a supportive partner was vital for me. My husband relocated with me to Palmerston North and then to the US (with two small kids).

How can we support people to become leaders or managers?

Wendi: Support leaders to be honest about how hard it can be at times. We need to show people it’s okay to make mistakes. Pretending we’re infallible and that our work and home lives are perfect is not really helpful.

How can we keep talented people in the veterinary profession?

Wendi: We need to be more flexible in our approach to veterinary practice.

This generation has a very different outlook on life from those who’ve come before. Now is a good time to think more creatively about what the veterinarians of the future might look like and how we can help them get there.

What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?

Wendi: Just enjoy it!

What are your goals?

Wendi: Retire to the beach.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

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OUT THERE VETTING

Vetting for

THE LOVE OF IT Mirjam Guesgen meets Genevieve Rogerson, owner of Cahill Animal Hospital in Palmerston North.

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.

32 – VetScript May 2020

Tell me a little bit about the history of the practice John and Jenny Cahill started the practice and established it. They must have had it for a good 20 years before I came here. I came as a new graduate from Massey University in 1994 and bought the practice in 2004. I was asked if I wanted to buy in. My initial thought was, “No I can’t do it”, then I sort of had a think about it and thought, “Actually, I can”.

What helped you change your mind about ownership?

I was very lucky to have family support to help me with the business side of things.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

OUT THERE VETTING

When Genevieve Rogerson took over as practice owner, she kept the Cahill name as recognition of the hard work John and Jenny Cahill put into building the practice.

My father and brother had their own business; they used to own CityFitness.

It was quite good to have mentorship outside the industry because we can be very insular. One of the problems for me is that I’ve mainly worked in this practice; it’s very easy to keep doing things as you’ve always done them.

out of work for a year; five generations of their families had been unemployed.

You also had a lot more veterinary nurse support in the UK. There was a higher veterinary nurse to veterinarian ratio and a much better structure where veterinary nurses had quite defined

roles going all the way up to senior roles. Clinics that I worked in would do five- to 10-minute consultations and the veterinary nurses in the background were doing a lot of the blood sampling and other work. They could also do some minor surgical procedures.

Have you only ever worked at Cahill Animal Hospital?

I worked here for two years [after graduating] then went overseas and did locum work in the UK for a year.

Did you notice any big differences between the UK and here?

This was a long time ago, so things have probably changed dramatically.

In those days they were very short of veterinarians so you could ring up [a locum agency] at 10 in the morning and have a job by 11.

I didn’t necessarily work in clinics that were of the same standard as those I was used to here. I worked in some very poor areas. But pet insurance was super common, so the animals were well looked after even if the people weren’t. I was getting clients who hadn’t just been

VetScript May 2020 – 33

OUT THERE VETTING

IT WAS QUITE GOOD TO HAVE MENTORSHIP OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY BECAUSE WE CAN BE VERY INSULAR. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS FOR ME IS THAT I’VE MAINLY WORKED IN THIS PRACTICE; IT’S VERY EASY TO KEEP DOING THINGS AS YOU’VE ALWAYS DONE THEM.

there so I had to give things a go. It made me stand on my own two feet a little bit.

Travelling and working in different areas helps you grow as a person.

Clinic cat Bling (facing page) is often seen near reception, ready to greet clients and patients alike.

34 – VetScript May 2020

When you came back, did you adopt any of those practices?

I think [the time overseas] made me more confident. John Cahill had a strong surgical background, and so often if there were complicated surgeries he would do them. When he had the time I could scrub in with him and have him coach me but I never had to do anything solo.

One of the really good things that came out of locumming was that, in some of the practices, I was the only one

What is the structure of the practice?

I’m the only owner of the practice. We have four veterinarians – three full-time and one three-quarter-time.

We’re lucky that we’re big enough to have a practice manager and she does all the jobs that I’d be absolutely terrible at, like paying taxes. She’s very good at keeping everything ticking over. We look at things quite differently and it’s good having different points of view.

We have three full-time nurses and one part-time nurse who shares reception and nursing duties. We also have a receptionist.

We have two dog groomers as well.

They’re hugely popular. It’s harder to get an appointment with them than it is with us sometimes!

How do you operate after-hours?

Massey University does all after-hours.

I’m not sure I’d still be in practice if I had to do after-hours. Having Massey is

NEWS AND VIEWS

the single best thing to having a better quality of life. It takes a lot of pressure off as far as care. I can send animals up there at night and know that they’re getting that constant care.

So we’re 8am–6pm Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm Saturday and 10am–4pm Sunday. We have two veterinarians on pretty much all the way through, and the schedule is seven days a week. It suits some of the staff to do weekend work because they can share childcare with their partners. Businesses in many industries are seven days a week. Saturdays and Sundays are just becoming normal working days.

Is there any interest from the staff in taking over ownership of the practice?

I haven’t had that conversation yet because I’m not at that stage. The way my travel bug goes I’m going to be working past retirement to fund my hobbies!

What is the vibe of the practice?

I think we’re a little bit like an oldfashioned family general practitioner (GP) kind of clinic. We offer a high level of service.

Most of the staff have been here for a long time. One of our nurses started with John and Jenny. She’s been working here some 30 years! From the clients’ point of view, having that consistency is important.

I’m looking after the third generation of clients now. For me that’s what makes the job fun. It’s that looking after a pet for their whole lifetime – and not just the pet, but the person who comes in with them as well.

The staff know each other pretty well and we get on really well together. We can be supportive and look out for each other. We get on and do our jobs but we can also take time out and have fun and laugh together.

I guess that ties in with your slogan: “we care as much as you do”?

The slogan really emphasises that there’s not one fit for every person or animal. Everyone has unique ethics, values and financial abilities. The logo and the slogan get the idea of caring across but also that we can tailor things to suit different people. I like to think that’s a point of difference [from bigger corporate veterinary practices], that we can be much more flexible with some of the choices we give people.

What do you see as the future of the profession?

I think there’s always going to be a place for independently owned practices. Like anything, there are challenges and good things about them.

One of the things that’s changing is that practices are becoming less inclined to do things that are outside ‘standard care’. Nowadays you’re duty bound to

offer referrals. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but what it means is that you’re tending to do less and less of those things that extend you and give you that personal satisfaction. I think the profession as a whole will become more like human medicine, where GPs are the first port of call and patients get sent off to specialists.

What’s the best thing about your job?

I love my job. I come to work and I do something different every day. I don’t know what’s going to happen. Some people find that really stressful but I love it. (update on 30 March) I want to say how fortunate I am to be working with the team during the COVID-19 lockdown. Every single staff member has stepped up to help keep our clinic going and provide the best service that we can to our clients – whether that’s by being in the clinic doing emergency work, or working remotely doing phone consultations or essential practice management, including keeping up with the constant updates on COVID-19 advice. Staff members have been checking in with each other and helping to keep their morale up. I have an awesome team.

Also our partner businesses have kept up an amazing level of service and are invaluable in enabling us to continue looking after our clients.

VetScript May 2020 – 35

IN THE FIELD

Animal welfare: is livestock transport certification working?

Michelle Clatworthy, Veterinary Technical Supervisor for MPI, surveys veterinarians on the issues and challenges of livestock transport certification.

BACKGROUND One of the key minimum standards in the 2011 Transport within New Zealand Code of Welfare states that “animals must not be transported if they display any injuries, signs of disease, abnormal behaviour or physical abnormalities that could compromise their welfare during the journey, unless a veterinary declaration of fitness for transport has been completed”.

At that time the NZVA and the Ministry for Primary Industries Verification Services (MPI VS) worked together to develop guidelines for veterinarians on the conditions that they could certify as fit for transport.

Data from MPI VS helped to identify the animal welfare conditions of most

concern for transported livestock, and those conditions were used in developing the livestock transport section of the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018. The earlier guidelines were also revised to reflect the issues of most concern.

Since the regulations’ implementation, the number of animal welfare cases identified by MPI VS veterinarians as justifying infringement fines has increased significantly. There has also been a significant increase in the number of farm suppliers seeking veterinary certification before selecting livestock for transport – and the number of fitness for transport certificates issued by veterinarians has increased by 60% since October 2018.

However, occasionally animals have had poor welfare outcomes after a fitness for transport certificate has been issued for an animal with a clinical condition or defect.

A survey of MPI VS veterinarians (internal survey, unpublished) found that, between March and May 2019, 12% (198) of the 1,649 certificates received at 24 premises countrywide had issues; for example, some had expired while others did not have premises specified. Another two percent (34) had been provided for animals deemed unfit for transport, according to the receiving MPI VS veterinarian.

To better understand the issues and challenges for veterinarians in deciding whether to certify fitness for transport, MPI VS and the NZVA conducted a survey of certifying veterinarians.

FIGURE 1: THE NUMBER OF FITNESS FOR TRANSPORT CERTIFICATES

REQUESTED, ISSUED AND REFUSED BETWEEN 1 MARCH AND 31 MAY 2019.

NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS

50 Number of certificates requested

40

Number of certificates issued

30

Number of certificates refused

20 10 0 0-5

6-10

11-15

16-20

>20

NUMBER OF CERTIFICATES

36 – VetScript May 2020

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHERYL WATSON / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

IN THE FIELD

RESULTS The survey was completed by 53 veterinary surgeons in general practice; 32 were based in the North Island and 21 in the South Island. Their years in practice ranged from 2.5 to 44, and most (>60%) worked primarily with dairy cattle. Around 10% worked with beef cattle, small ruminants or other species.

Figure 1 summarises the number of fitness for transport certificates the veterinarians requested, issued and refused between 1 March and 31 May 2019, and Figure 2 outlines their main reasons for refusals.

The key survey results were as follows: » The vast majority (close to 90%) of fitness for transport certificates were

issued for dairy or beef cattle. Around 10% were for sheep or other animals, including deer and horses. » The participating veterinarians generally perceived themselves as extremely or quite aware of the certification requirements. They felt their clients also had good levels of awareness, but regarded transporters as less aware. » Most (90%) had been asked to certify animals that were not fit to be transported, and over 65% sometimes felt pressured by their clients to do so. » Most veterinarians (80%) always or often used the NZVA guidelines when deciding on certification.

VetScript May 2020 – 37

IN THE FIELD

FIGURE 2: REASONS FOR REFUSING TO ISSUE

FITNESS FOR TRANSPORT CERTIFICATES. NOTE SOME RESPONDENTS GAVE MORE THAN ONE ANSWER. REASONS

NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS

Unacceptable degree of lameness

27

Unhealed wounds/diseased udders

15

Low body condition score

11

Cancer eye lesions outside of acceptable parameters

9

Appearing sick/unwell

3

Unable to travel the distance to the nearest plant

2

Still within a withholding period

1

Animal did not receive necessary treatment at time of injury

1

FIGURE 3: RESPONDENTS’ SUGGESTIONS FOR

IMPROVING THE CERTIFICATION GUIDELINES. RESPONSE

% OF RESPONSES

Better definitions/guidelines less open to interpretation

18

Improved farmer and stock agent education

18

More consistency in advice provided by MPI VS vets

16

MPI VS veterinarians to provide the certification

16

Provision of learning material/resources/calibration/testing

20

Around 58% found them quite or extremely helpful, and 38% somewhat helpful. Figure 3 lists some suggested improvements. » Many respondents (86%) said the practices where they worked did not provide internal training or assessment for certification. Most of this knowledge was acquired through discussions with MPI VS veterinarians (22 respondents) and/or their own colleagues (19 respondents). Others said certification was discussed at weekly meetings, with three practices

38 – VetScript May 2020

having senior colleagues accompany new graduates when first certifying animals. Seven said that no training was undertaken. » 16% of the veterinarians felt that only senior veterinarians should provide certification. » Almost all respondents (98%) knew where their nearest slaughter plants were and 91% knew how to contact them. However, only 21% were familiar with the processing patterns, such as processing days, operating shifts and shut-down periods.

Figure 4 summarises

communications with MPI VS veterinarians at slaughter plants. » Some veterinarians expressed frustration at not receiving definitive decisions from plant MPI VS veterinarians, but 70% of those who responded to this question were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the advice they received. About onethird commented on inconsistency in advice and/or difficulty in making contact with MPI veterinarians. » Feedback, when requested, was provided 80% of the time, but nine percent reported never receiving requested feedback. Feedback was generally found to be useful, with postmortem findings particularly appreciated.

STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN VETERINARIANS The survey indicated that veterinarians are generally satisfied with the current fitness for transport certification process. It is clear that continued positive outcomes will depend on good communication and cooperation between all participants in the livestock industries, particularly practice and MPI VS veterinarians.

MPI procedures and training materials are constantly updated and communicated to each MPI VS team via regional Animal Welfare Coordinators.

These coordinators meet regularly with their teams and external stakeholders, and are involved in developing and distributing training materials and addressing animal welfare-related issues. They are also happy to attend local veterinary meetings (eg, NZVA or practice meetings) to give presentations and hold discussion sessions. Their details are on the NZVA website and they are good first points of contact for veterinarians seeking advice.

In one region, some local veterinarians have signed up to a WhatsApp group to share images and videos of certification cases, and gain second opinions.

However online communications via video with MPI VS veterinarians can be

IN THE FIELD

FIGURE 3: RESPONSES TO PARTICULAR SURVEY

QUESTIONS.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU CONTACT THE MPI VS VETERINARIAN AT THE SLAUGHTER PREMISES FOR ADVICE WHEN ASSESSING ANIMALS FOR TRANSPORT FITNESS?

Never Hardly ever Sometimes Often Always

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90% 100%

HOW OFTEN DO YOU PROVIDE VIDEOS/ PHOTOS TO THE MPI VS VETERINARIAN?

Never Hardly ever Sometimes Often Always

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90% 100%

HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH THE ADVICE FROM THE MPI VS VETERINARIAN AT THE SLAUGHTER PLANT?

Extremely dissatisfied Dissatisfied Indifferent Satisfied Extremely satisfied

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

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90% 100%

problematic because they do not have access to the cloud. That being said, very short video recordings, photos and written descriptions or enquiries can be sent via email.

On-plant veterinarians are frequently out of the office and elsewhere on site, so it is advisable to leave messages and follow up with emails. MPI is currently developing a map of all cattle processing plants, with outlines of their processing patterns and contact phone numbers.

Veterinarians have an important role in educating other veterinarians, suppliers, operators, transporters and stock buyers on the certification process, especially when they encounter animal welfare issues. MPI VS veterinarians also raise awareness among farmers and farm workers as part of on-farm verification audits.

For properties under Mycoplasma bovis restrictions, the case for issuing (or not issuing) veterinary certificates for animals’ transport is the same as that for cattle on any farm. M. bovis cattle can be slaughtered and tested on farm if required.

CONCLUSIONS It is clear from the survey results that most veterinarians consider the NZVA guidelines fit for purpose, and generally helpful when they are deciding whether to certify animals for transport. Where there is uncertainty, most veterinarians seek input and advice from on-plant MPI VS veterinarians.

It is important that certifying veterinarians ask for feedback on welfare outcomes when certifying, and that MPI VS veterinarians continue to provide that information.

Veterinarians have a key role in ensuring ongoing improvements in animal welfare standards in New Zealand’s livestock industries.

Achieving that requires a consistent approach to certification across the country, and veterinarians continuing to communicate and collaborate with one another.

VetScript May 2020 – 39

IN THE CLINIC

BESTPRACTICE accreditation

– making a difference Thinking about BESTPRACTICE? Mike Eng talks to two accredited practices about the pros and cons.

40 – VetScript May 2020

TODAY’S VETERINARY CLINICS and hospitals operate in a tightly controlled and increasingly complex legal and ethical environment, affecting everything from health and safety to veterinary registration, CPD obligations and personal liability for directors. It can be a challenge staying on top of things while meeting client demands – not to mention keeping an eye on the bottom line.

That’s why more than 60 practices have done the hard yards to become accredited

by BESTPRACTICE – New Zealand’s only quality accreditation programme for veterinary clinics and hospitals.

The NZVA BESTPRACTICE accreditation makes it easy to manage risks and compliance, and the scheme is supported by the NZVA and VCNZ. Its value is becoming increasingly recognised, with three clinics gaining BESTPRACTICE accreditation in 2019, four signed up already this year, and more likely to join the ranks in the coming months.

So is accreditation really helping clinics to be the very best versions of themselves? We asked those responsible

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

IN THE CLINIC

Vetora Cambridge clinic manager Natalie Bain says the reason they became accredited was to provide consistency across the business in their facilities and standards of care.

for BESTPRACTICE accreditation efforts at two different practices.

A TALE OF TWO PRACTICES Franklin Vets could be described as a small corporate, although CEO Mark Hosking dislikes the ‘c’ word and instead describes it as a network of clinics with similar values. Founded in 1946, Franklin Vets is a 10-clinic practice servicing South Auckland, north Waikato and Thames/ Coromandel.

The second practice, Vetora, is a notfor-profit ‘club’ owned by its employees and with independent farmer directors.

It’s been in operation since the 1940s, and now has nine clinics in Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

Both these practices seek to maintain the highest standards for their clients.

WORK THAT’S WORTH IT In 2003 Vetora Rotorua was the first clinic in the Vetora club to be accredited.

“I’d just started in my role and it was one of the first things I did,” says CEO Craig Kusabs. He was on the same page as the Vetora Board, which saw BESTPRACTICE accreditation as a way to ensure compliance and effective risk management for their clinics.

Craig says that back in 2003 there were many fewer clinics accredited than there are today, and this was a distinct advantage as an employer seeking to recruit the best people.

“It was very helpful in attracting staff who wanted to work for a clinic doing things the right way.”

He says a lot of changes were made to gain accreditation, including buying new equipment. Since then Vetora Rotorua and its staff and clients have benefited from high standards in service and quality.

“It’s a good discipline to be audited every second year; it helps keep us honest,” he says.

Vetora CEO Gavin Shepherd says he decided to get all clinics in the group accredited after acquiring several of them a few years ago.

“For us it was all about quality. Looking at our clinics we were doing some of the compliance things well, but there would be the odd time when it was clear we could do a little bit better.”

VetScript May 2020 – 41

NEWS AND VIEWS

Although the long-term benefits of accreditation are clear, the process of becoming BESTPRACTICE accredited can be time consuming and demanding. Gavin says clinic managers in charge of the accreditation process have to put in a lot of work, with many putting aside a day a week to manage the transition, which can take six to eight weeks. He acknowledges that it’s a big ask given their already busy schedules, but says that in the long run it’s an effort worth making.

“When acquiring clinics it’s particularly useful to have them already accredited.

To a certain extent you can transfer policies and protocols, which makes the accreditation process much easier,” he says.

THE BENEFITS OF A CHAMPION Franklin Vets Pukekohe was the first Franklin Vets clinic to be accredited, in 2005. Its Director – Farm, Jason Fayers, says one of the keys to its success is having someone to oversee, drive and guide the accreditation process.

“You definitely need a champion,” he says, crediting Small Animal Veterinary Director Paul Eason for taking on this role. “Having someone around with strong systems and an organised approach certainly makes the whole process easy.”

These sentiments are echoed by Natalie Bain, who, as Vetora Cambridge’s Clinic Manager, led the most recent accreditation process. She says that while writing more than 80 processes and policies was “quite time-consuming” and a “reasonably costly exercise”, the process

42 – VetScript May 2020

was made much easier thanks to colleague and veterinarian Adam Hittman, who was more than happy to champion the cause.

Based at Vetora Te Awamutu, Adam is part-way through guiding all five Vetora Waikato clinics through the accreditation process. He says having a practice champion drive the process and provide guidance on knitting together the BESTPRACTICE accreditation policies, procedures and protocols can be invaluable for any clinic.

“With the constant changes in regulatory and compliance requirements, BESTPRACTICE accreditation is the best tool available to ensure that we don’t slip between the cracks.”

He says it’s important to not rush things. “Give yourself at least a year to adopt all the BESTPRACTICE accreditation requirements. The goal

“OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM KNEW EARLY ON THAT BESTPRACTICE ALIGNED WITH OUR BRAND VALUES AND IDENTITY. WE KNEW THAT IF FRANKLIN VETS WANTED TO BE KNOWN FOR WORKING AT A HIGH LEVEL IN TERMS OF QUALITY STANDARDS, WE NEEDED TO SIGN UP.”

IN THE CLINIC

is to maximise value by absorbing BESTPRACTICE into everyday practice, rather than having a set of stand-alone policies that you blow the dust off just before the next audit.”

He says fostering a team environment and ensuring continuity of care are more of a challenge in multi-clinic practices, but it means they can get the most out of BESTPRACTICE accreditation.

“If a team member walks into a sister clinic they’ll be familiar with all the systems, processes and protocols.

This makes things so much easier for everyone,” says Adam.

BEST FOOT FORWARD For Franklin Vets CEO Mark Hosking, consistency across clinics is just part of the story.

“Our leadership team knew early on that BESTPRACTICE aligned with our brand values and identity. We knew that if Franklin Vets wanted to be known for working at a high level in terms of quality standards, we needed to sign up.”

He says there was support from corporate clients who understood the value of the accreditation.

“Over time more clients will become aware of BESTPRACTICE and the quality assurance it offers. At the end of the day, they want to know they’ll get the same

level of service, no matter which of our clinics they go to.”

As a busy CEO, Mark also gets peace of mind. “I try to get around our clinics as often as I can, but I can’t be out there checking them all the time.”

NEXT STEPS Vetora and Franklin Vets are different practices but when it comes to the business benefits of BESTPRACTICE accreditation for clients and clinics, they’re both singing from the same hymn sheet.

So what’s next? Mark Hosking says four of Franklin Vets’ 10 clinics are accredited and he plans to increase the number in the next few years. He says his leadership team will decide when the time is right for each clinic.

Given that clinics in this country come in many shapes and sizes, this may well be the right approach to take. For example some have space limitations that can make accreditation difficult since there’s less room to build new facilities.

Vetora CEO Gavin Shepherd says all five Waikato clinics are likely to be accredited this year. The remaining clinics, all based in the Bay of Plenty, will follow. If the practices’ recent track records are anything to go by, they could sign up sooner rather than later.

WHY BESTPRACTICE ACCREDITATION? The Chair of the NZVA’s BESTPRACTICE Committee, Hans Andersen, says accreditation offers many benefits to veterinary practices.

“Well-developed systems help you get it right first time more often,” he says. “They save you time and money, you get fewer complaints and clients appreciate the consistency of service, communication and pricing they bring.”

The NZVA will this year launch the Practice of the Year award, a new award for accredited practices only.

“This will be a good promotion for the short-listed practices, and of course the winner,” says Hans.

BESTPRACTICE is New Zealand’s only quality accreditation programme for veterinary clinics and hospitals. It covers all aspects of veterinary care, from surgical, medical and nursing practice to diagnostics, safety procedures, facilities, equipment, CPD and training.

It is governed by the BESTPRACTICE Committee, which liaises with the relevant regulatory authorities in researching, negotiating and clarifying veterinary compliance standards in New Zealand.

Being BESTPRACTICE accredited makes it easier for clinics to meet or exceed these standards. It involves ensuring that a clinic meets minimum standards for quality in all its operations, and that it has the right policies, protocols and procedures to continue to do so.

Accredited practices are audited once every two years.

BESTPRACTICE provides guidance for helping veterinary practices navigate a myriad of regulations, from surgical to CPD.

VetScript May 2020 – 43

IN THE LAB

Pulmonary toxoplasmosis in a puppy Geoff Orbell, Veterinary Clinical Director at Gribbles Veterinary Laboratories Palmerston North, tracks the source of Toxoplasma gondii infection in a puppy.

of the clinical signs, the puppy was euthanased and a postmortem examination was performed.

The most significant findings on gross postmortem examination were the lungs, which were diffusely firm, rubbery and discoloured and partially sank in formalin. Histologically there was a severe interstitial pneumonia with marked Type 2 pneumocyte hyperplasia. Multifocally septa were disrupted by necrosis associated with a low number of protozoal tachyzoites (Figure 1). PCR (polymerase chain reaction) of the fixed tissue identified Toxoplasma gondii. No other tissues were submitted for histology.

Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan, intracellular, protozoal parasite

TOXOPLASMA GONDII IS AN APICOMPLEXAN, INTRACELLULAR, PROTOZOAL PARASITE FOR WHICH THE DEFINITIVE HOST IS THE DOMESTIC CAT AND OTHER FELIDS.

A 10-WEEK-OLD HEADING Dog puppy presented to a veterinary clinic moribund with severe respiratory distress. Three days previously the puppy had stopped eating, and a day later had developed laboured breathing.

The puppy had been born on farm and two litter mates were clinically normal. The puppies were being fed a commercial diet as well as raw mutton.

Clinically, differential diagnoses included hypoxia due to severe

44 – VetScript May 2020

FIGURE 1: Lung (400x magnification). Necrosis of alveolar septa with haemorrhage, fibrin, degenerate neutrophils and karyorrhectic debris with intralesional protozoal zoites (arrow).

haemolytic anaemia, streptococcal pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, pneumonia secondary to kennelcough complex and a toxic insult of some description. Due to the severity

for which the definitive host is the domestic cat and other felids. All other mammalian species, as well as cats, serve as intermediate hosts.

Intermediate hosts are infected by ingestion of oocysts from feline faeces, consumption of tissue containing infective cysts containing bradyzoites or congenital infection. In domestic cats and other felids, consumption of infected prey is most commonly believed to be the cause.

Following ingestion of oocysts or tissue cysts, asexual and sexual reproduction occurs in the feline intestine, resulting in oocyst shedding.

IMAGERY: SUPPLIED

IN THE LAB

Only asexual reproduction occurs in intermediate hosts with no oocyst production. Oocyst shedding is highest in young kittens, immunosuppressed or retroviral infected adult cats and those infected by ingestion of infected intermediate host tissue.

Clinical toxoplasmosis in dogs is rare and is most commonly seen in immunosuppressed dogs or those with concurrent disease. Most commonly it presents as neuromuscular disease similar to Neospora caninum infection, which is more common in dogs but can also affect horses and ruminants. Less commonly, it presents as respiratory disease, which is more often seen in cats with congenital or systemic infection. In the current case, there would likely have been other organs infected but these were not submitted for histology.

This puppy could have been infected by eating raw meat or ingesting oocysts. On further questioning the owner said the meat the puppy was fed had been frozen at -18° Celsius for more than 24 hours, which should have been enough to kill encysted toxoplasmosis bradyzoites.

The owner also reported they had two healthy adult cats, but in the previous two weeks had noticed a stray kitten around the puppy’s kennel. In this case the wild kitten would have been the most likely source of Toxoplasma gondii infection for the affected puppy.

FURTHER READING: Calero-Bernal R, Gennari SM. Clinical toxoplasmosis in dogs and cats: An update. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 6, 54, 2019 Pepper A, Mansfield C, Stent A, Johnstone T. Toxoplasmosis as a cause of life-threatening respiratory distress in a dog receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Clinical Case Reports 7, 942–8, 2019 Shapiro K, Bahia-Oliveira L, Dixon B, Dumètre A, de Wit LA, VanWormer E, Villena I. Environmental transmission of Toxoplasma gondii: Oocysts in water, soil and food. Food and Waterborne Parasitology 15, 2019. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00049

You’re in good company with MAS.

The insurance, investment and lending provider to NZ professionals.

Hanna Gray (and Charlie) Veterinary Surgeon and MAS Member

Experience MAS today at VetScript May 2020 – 45 mas.co.nz

IN THE LAB

APPs’ role in diagnosing and monitoring tissue injuries Sandra Forsyth, Clinical Pathologist at SVS Laboratories, discusses the place of acute phase proteins (APPs) in evaluating cats and dogs with inflammatory disease.

INTRODUCTION An acute phase reaction (APR) is a non-specific, systemic response to disturbances in homeostasis caused by infection, surgery, trauma, neoplasia or immune-mediated processes.

Inflammatory cytokines released at the site of the tissue damage initiate local vascular responses, activate inflammatory cells, stimulate the pituitary-adrenal axis and enhance the hepatic production of specific proteins called acute phase proteins (APP) that aid in the defence and healing of affected tissue.

46 – VetScript May 2020

The APR response is fast and may precede the onset of clinical signs. It is typically short in duration because it reflects an acute phase of inflammation; however, it may remain heightened in chronic conditions.

To date, most inflammatory conditions have been assessed through analyses of leukograms and fibrinogen and globulin concentrations. While these parameters are readily available and inexpensive to obtain, they respond slowly to acute inflammation. In the past two decades several APPs that change rapidly in

concentration during the APR have been evaluated as markers of inflammation in various species including cats and dogs.

The leukogram In the APR, leukocytes migrate to the site of an injury under the action of cytokines and APPs, where they reduce or remove the stimulus and damaged cells, and initiate healing.

In the haemogram there may be a neutrophilia and sometimes monocytosis in mild to moderate inflammation, a left shift and toxic changes when the demand for inflammatory cells is great, and leukopenia when the demand for neutrophils is extremely high. However, in some circumstances circulating leukocyte numbers change only marginally in the face of significant inflammation, particularly early in the process or when inflammation is localised. Moreover, leukocytosis may occur with adrenaline and cortisol release, with counts occasionally reaching 30–35 x 109/L, which may cause difficulty in interpretation.

Cats in particular may show minor alterations in leukocyte and neutrophil counts in the presence of inflammation (Trumel et al., 2019). The presence of band neutrophils and toxic change are more sensitive indicators of inflammation; however, they are not useful in differentiating infectious from non-infectious causes (Segev et al., 2006).

The APP response Shortly after the onset of tissue injury, cytokines are released, enter the circulation and induce the liver to slow production of some proteins and increase the production of proteins involved in the APR. Manufacture of albumin and transferrin decreases (negative APPs) and production of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), alpha-1 glycoprotein, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin and fibrinogen increases (positive APPs).

Positive APPs can be grouped into major, moderate and minor reactants based on the magnitude of change in serum concentrations following

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IN THE LAB

TABLE 1:

Acute phase proteins in dogs and cats SPECIES

MAJOR

MODERATE

MINOR

Dog

CRP SAA

Ceruloplasmin Haptoglobin

Fibrinogen

Cat

A1GP SAA

Haptoglobin

Fibrinogen

CRP – C-reactive protein, SAA – serum amyloid A, A1GP – alpha-1 glycoprotein

stimulation (Table 1). Major APPs are low in concentration in healthy animals and increase by 100–1,000 times within 8–24 hours in the presence of acute inflammation. Moderate and minor APPs show smaller increases in concentration over a longer period of time, increasing by 50% to 10 times in one to several days. As inflammation resolves, APP concentrations decrease at a similar rate. The exception is fibrinogen, which may take a week or more to return to baseline. In general, the major APPs are most useful because there are fewer outside factors that interfere with their concentration and they increase significantly more than moderate or minor APPs, which makes interpretation more straightforward.

APR in dogs There is considerable evidence that APPs are useful for diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory conditions caused by septic diseases and sterile inflammatory processes, including pancreatitis, immune-mediated disease and neoplasia.

For example, APPs increase rapidly in dogs with pancreatitis, then fall in a five-day period as recovery occurs (Holm et al., 2004). Similarly, in post-operative patients, monitoring APP concentrations is valuable since they peak the day after surgery then decrease in dogs with uncomplicated recoveries while remaining high in those with sepsis or significant tissue necrosis (Dąbrowski et al., 2009).

Monitoring APPs also has a place in managing patients with neoplasia. SAA is higher in dogs with malignant compared to benign circumanal gland tumours, and the concentration decreases with

successful treatment (Lisiecka et al., 2019). It is probable that the same holds true for other tumours.

CRP and SAA are the major APPs studied most closely in dogs, and as a result there have been several papers comparing the two. Older studies that used analysis methods different from those used currently variably found one more sensitive than the other, suggesting that both are suitable for the investigation of acute inflammation.

Nonetheless, a recent study evaluating APP concentrations in 500 dogs found that SAA was better in terms of diagnostic performance than CRP (Christensen et al., 2014).

APR in cats There are fewer papers investigating the use of APPs in cats than there are investigating dogs. However, recently a group comparing the leukogram with serum APP concentrations found that fibrinogen and SAA provided greater sensitivity and specificity in identifying inflammation in this species (Trumel et al., 2019). Similar to that seen in dogs, SAA increases within 24 hours of surgery and falls over ensuing days in uncomplicated recoveries. It also increases in feline patients with acute pancreatitis and in some neoplastic conditions (Tamamoto et al., 2009).

While fibrinogen concentration increases in inflammation, it also increases in hepatic neoplasia and hepatic lipidosis (Dircks et al., 2012; Vilhena et al., 2019), although it could be argued that these conditions may have an associated inflammatory component.

SAA has also been reported to increase

in diseases that are not historically considered inflammatory, including hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus and renal failure (Trumel et al., 2019).

SUMMARY APPs have a place in evaluations of patients with inflammatory diseases.

They frequently increase before abnormalities are noted in the leukogram, and the alteration in their concentration can often provide a gauge as to the severity of the disease process.

REFERENCES: Christensen MB, Langhorn R, Goddard A, Andreasen EB, Moldal E, Tvarijonaviciute A, Kirpensteijn J, Jakobsen S, Persson F, Kjelgaard-Hansen M. Comparison of serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein as diagnostic markers of systemic inflammation in dogs. Canadian Veterinary Journal 55, 161–8, 2014 Dąbrowski R, Kostro K, Lisiecka U, Szczubiał M, Krakowski L. Usefulness of C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A component, and haptoglobin determinations in bitches with pyometra for monitoring early post-ovariohysterectomy complications. Theriogenology 72, 471–6, 2009 Dircks B, Nolte I, Mischke R. Haemostatic abnormalities in cats with naturally occurring liver diseases. Veterinary Journal 193, 103–8, 2012 Holm JL, Rozanski EA, Freeman LM, Webster CRL. C-reactive protein concentrations in canine acute pancreatitis. Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 14, 183–6, 2004 Lisiecka U, Dudek K, Brodzki A, Kostro K, Czop M, Brodzki P. Evaluation of serum acute phase protein concentrations in dogs with circumanal gland tumours. Journal of Comparative Pathology 171, 12–8, 2019 Segev G, Klement E, Aroch I. Toxic neutrophils in cats: Clinical and clinicopathologic features, and disease prevalence and outcome – a retrospective case control study. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 20, 20–31, 2006 Tamamoto T, Ohno K, Ohmi A, Seki I, Tsujimoto H. Time-course monitoring of serum amyloid A in a cat with pancreatitis. Veterinary Clinical Pathology 38, 83–6, 2009 Trumel C, Gaillard E, Leynaud V, Aumann M, Braun JP. Comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of markers of the acute phase of inflammation in cats. A preliminary evaluation. Comparative Clinical Pathology 28, 505–11, 2019 Vilhena H, Tvarijonaviciute IA, Cerón JJ, Figueira AC, Miranda S, Ribeiro A, Canadas A, Dias-Pereira P, Rubio CP, Franco L, et al.

Acute phase proteins and biomarkers of oxidative status in feline spontaneous malignant mammary tumours. Veterinary Comparative Oncology 17, 394–406, 2019

VetScript May 2020 – 47

IN THE WORKPLACE

THE PANDEMIC, YOUR AND YOUR EMPLOYEES’ RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS What obligations do veterinary employers have to their staff? Shaun Phelan, National Manager of Business Advisory Services at MAS, explains what you need to know.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC has been underway for several months but it’s still a rapidly evolving beast. There’s still much we don’t know about the virus and its long-term effects on our economy and society, but it’s clear that communities need to work together to halt its spread. Businesses have a vital role in this, particularly in protecting their employees and their families.

As New Zealand’s veterinary practices are classified as providing essential services, they’re continuing to operate during the pandemic. This makes it all the more important that practice owners consider what they can do (and what they have to do) for their employees during this time.

48 – VetScript May 2020

If one of your employees is unwell, clearly they shouldn’t turn up at work and you should support them as they recover. But what are your legal obligations? How should sick leave be used, and what are the broader considerations when it comes to dealing with the virus?

HOW SICK LEAVE CAN BE USED First things first. Every employee, regardless of their profession, is entitled to use their sick leave allocation if they’re ill or if their spouse or a dependant is sick and the employee has to stay home to care for them.

Legally speaking, an employee isn’t entitled to paid sick leave if they’re off

work because there may be a risk of their catching the virus (there’s no actual illness). However, their employer can use their own judgement and decide to take a more generous approach.

Some employment agreements will already state that sick leave can be used for situations like this, and employers can agree to employees using their sick leave to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19. Similarly, employers can agree to an employee using sick leave to look after people who are not dependants; however, this may not be possible for all businesses.

In general, whenever you agree to relax the rules on using sick leave, it’s a good idea to record the agreement in writing.

REQUIRING EMPLOYEES TO STAY AWAY FROM WORK If an employee is ready, willing and able to work, you’re obliged to provide them with work. However, you may not want the employee to turn up at work if there’s a risk that they’ve been exposed to COVID-19.

In this case you’re entitled – and may be obliged under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 – to direct the employee to not turn up at work.

If there are so many employees absent that your business can’t function safely or be viable, you may be forced into a closedown situation. The issue is then whether healthy but absent employees are entitled to be paid.

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IN THE WORKPLACE

Do employers have to pay employees who are required to stay away?

If you decide that an employee can’t come to work, the employee is generally entitled to be paid as long as they’re ready, willing and able to work.

There are some possible exceptions to this, such as if your employment agreement includes a clause excluding payment in this situation.

Many employment agreements include ‘force majeure’ clauses, which release the employers from their contractual obligations to pay employees or provide them with work during extraordinary events.

However, the threshold is high for invoking such a clause and you should seek legal advice before doing this.

IN SUMMARY, EMPLOYERS SHOULD: keep up to date on the latest information on the pandemic, from trusted sources

review their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act

develop policies dealing with the situations discussed in this article, and provide clear guidance to practice managers and employees

discuss the evolving situation regularly with employees

document all agreements made with employees.

What happens if an employee is compulsorily quarantined?

In this situation the employee can’t be said to be ready, willing and able to work, so they’d not be entitled to be paid. However, before making this decision you should look at the feasibility of their working from home or other options for reducing personal contact. You and the employee may also agree to use sick leave or annual leave to cover the situation.

be entitled to use their paid sick leave until it runs out. However, if a child is well and staying at home because of a school closure, you’re not obliged to pay the employee. Of course you and the employee can agree to different arrangements, and you may choose to take a more relaxed, flexible approach than you’re legally required to.

What happens if an employee needs to stay home to look after a child?

Children who are sick count as dependants, so the employee would

When can an employee refuse to go to work?

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act an employee can refuse to go to work if they have reasonable grounds

to believe they could suffer serious harm. If they have a reasonable fear of contracting the virus at work, they may have a right to refuse to go.

Ideally, you and the employee should discuss the situation and whether there are other solutions such as working from home. You probably have no obligation to pay the employee if they refuse to turn up at work unless you’re at fault in some way.

HOW THE GOVERNMENT WILL HELP If you would like to find out more about this package, your obligations towards your staff and what government support you might be eligible to receive, we’ve put together some general advice at www.healthypractice.co.nz/news/ covid-19-wage-subsidy-update.

MAS staff are happy to answer any questions you have on practice issues or dilemmas. Email your questions to 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.

FURTHER READING: Ministry of Health: www.health. govt.nz/our-work/diseasesand-conditions/covid-19-novelcoronavirus

VetScript May 2020 – 49

WELLBEING

ADDRESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Julie South, a recruiter with VetStaff, describes the heavy toll of domestic violence, and what your practice can do to address it.

THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – Victims’ Protection Act 2018 came into force on 1 April 2019. It protects domestic violence victims at work, providing them with the right to: » take at least 10 days’ paid domestic violence leave. This is separate from and additional to other leave (eg, annual, sick and bereavement leave) » request short-term flexible working arrangements for up to two months » be treated without discrimination in the workplace because they might have experienced domestic violence.

As at 30 October 2019, and according to the MYOB Business Monitor Snapshot, most small and medium-sized New Zealand businesses (70%) had yet to implement changes to their employment agreements and/or workplace policies to recognise or comply with the Act (MYOB, 2017).

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEFINED In New Zealand the term domestic violence includes physical, sexual and psychological abuse, including intimidation, damage to property, threats of abuse, financial and economic abuse, emotional abuse and playing mind games.

It extends to abuse by a partner, another family member or a former partner (an ex).

A person affected by domestic violence can be the victim themselves, or someone who lives with a child who is, or has been, a victim of domestic violence.

50 – VetScript May 2020

AN INVESTMENT, NOT A LIABILITY It’s easy for veterinary clinic employers to see the Act as another compliance cost. That was my reaction until I started digging deeper.

Yes, it’s an added obligation that clinics can’t contract out of. But when incorporated into a clinic’s human resources values proposition in a caring and thoughtful way, it becomes an investment.

A 2014 Public Service Association report found that domestic violence cost New Zealand employers $368 million a year (Kahui et al., 2014).

It determined that employers could avoid and/or mitigate these (hidden) costs through implementing workplace protection initiatives.

Another report (New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse, 2014) stated that these initiatives could increase productivity and save costs in recruitment, retention, retraining and health and safety – and that for every employee whose experience of violence was prevented through workplace protection, employers avoided an average $3,371 in annual productivity costs.

If you’re wondering whether you can afford to offer additional leave to affected employees, you may be surprised to learn you’re probably already doing so. Domestic violence could be damaging your clinic’s productivity and workplace accident

rates because affected employees are already taking time off work, their productivity is already being compromised, and other team members are already covering for them (with varying levels of effectiveness and success). So it’s likely affecting your clinic’s bottom line too.

THE NUMBERS ARE ALARMING Victims, survivors and perpetrators can be found in any workplace, any profession and any suburb.

Even though most family violence incidents in New Zealand (76%) go unreported (Ministry of Justice, 2014), between September 2018 and August 2019 New Zealand Police investigated one incident every four minutes (Long, 2019). By the time you’ve finished reading this article two women are likely to have been beaten.

If your clinic has five women, possibly one of them will have experienced sexual abuse and/or assault. About 20% of New Zealand women are abused, and one in three girls and one in seven boys aged under 16 years are sexually abused by adulthood (HELP, 2019).

SIGNS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE It’s important to be vigilant at your clinic because maybe, just maybe, one or more of your team is experiencing domestic violence at home. Signs to look for include: » excuses for injuries (“I tripped”) » personality changes (low self-esteem in someone previously confident) » partners or exes constantly checking in/checking up (eg, via phone calls, texts, drive-bys at work and ‘spontaneous’ visits to work), justified because they ‘care’ » people wearing clothing that doesn’t fit the season (long sleeves in summer covering bruises) or is inappropriate to please someone else (overly restrictive or revealing) » justifications of significant others’ unacceptable behaviour (they’re “going through a bad patch” or have “just been laid off”)

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WELLBEING

» increased absenteeism or lateness because of an inability to find their keys, meds, phone, lunch or something else required during the day, or being held up at home » damage to personal property (such as a scratched or dented vehicle or a damaged or destroyed phone).

None of these signs in isolation is proof of domestic violence. However, several that once would have been considered out of character could mean there’s a problem at home. And new relationships and Tinder-like meet-ups can be just as unhealthy, violent, controlling or manipulative as long-term ones.

TAKE CHARGE OF CHANGE True leadership is about being prepared to go above and beyond the legal minimum – and wise leaders recognise that having a domestic violence policy at work will make a positive difference

to staff morale and to their bottom lines through lower absenteeism rates, lower staff turnover and greater productivity.

An excellent first step is to make it easy for your team to get help if they need it. » If you’re not sure where to start, www.dvfree.org.nz can point you in the right direction. » Shine – a leading New Zealand specialist domestic violence service provider – has a number of free downloadable A4 workplace posters.

Visit www.2shine.org.nz/shop or phone 0508 744 633. » The Workplace Policy Builder at wpb.business.govt.nz is useful if you haven’t documented your clinic’s policies or are unsure where to begin.

Courageous leadership engenders respect, loyalty and pride. Start the conversation with your team because you care about them. Your courage may save a colleague’s life!

REFERENCES: HELP. Sexual Abuse Statistics. www.helpauckland. org.nz/sexual-abuse-statistics.html (accessed 17 March 2020). 2019 Kahui S, Ku B, Snively S. Productivity Gains from Workplace Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence. www.psa.org.nz/assets/Reports/Workplace+ Productivity+Improvements+for+DV+21+May+ 2014.pdf (accessed 17 March 2020). Public Service Association, 2014 Long J. Family harm investigations on the rise, police figures show. www.stuff.co.nz/national/115802337/ family-harm-investigations-on-the-rise-policefigures-show (accessed 17 March 2020). 2019 Ministry of Justice. New Zealand Crime & Safety Survey. www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector-policy/ research-data/nzcass (accessed 17 March 2020).

2014 MYOB. Growth steady for small businesses according to survey. www.myob.com/nz/about/news/2017/ growth-steady-for-small-businesses (accessed 17 March 2020). 2017 New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse.

Research evidences cost of domestic violence to employers. https://nzfvc.org.nz/news/researchevidences-cost-domestic-violence-employers (accessed 17 March 2020). 2014

VetScript May 2020 – 51

NEWS AND VIEWS

COMPANION ANIMAL VETERINARIANS

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

ONLINE | WORKSHOP

ONLINE

» Start now! » Authors: Sandra Forsyth | Kate Hill | Andrew Worth » More information and registration at nzva.org.nz/event/cavrs

COMPANION ANIMAL VETERINARIANS

Get your teeth into best practice dentistry Improve your techniques in oral surgery and obtain better clinical outcomes with this comprehensive online course. » Online: 31 August–13 September 2020 | Due to COVID-19 workshop dates will be set later » Online tutor: Tony Caiafa | Workshop: Craig Hunger, Janine van Dam and John Wood » More information and registration at nzva.org.nz/event/20caden

COMPANION ANIMAL VETERINARIANS

Practical echocardiology course WORKSHOP

An introduction to obtaining and interpreting diagnostic echocardiograms. » Location: Palmerston North | Due to COVID-19 a workshop date will be set at a later stage » Tutors: Jacqui Huxley | Mark Owen | Sarah Pemberton » Watch this space! More information coming soon!

ALL VETERINARIANS

Backyard chooks and other feathered friends ONLINE

Increase your confidence and skills diagnosing and treating common pet poultry and small flock problems. » Date: 6–19 July 2020 » Tutors: Neil Christensen | Dawn Mills » More information and registration at nzva.org.nz/event/20avian Check out www.nzva.org.nz/educationhub 52 – VetScript May 2020

ONLINE | WORKSHOP

ONLINE | WORKSHOP

NEWS AND VIEWS

DAIRY CATTLE VETERINARIANS

Bovine ultrasound Learn the latest techniques in bovine ultrasound and improve your confidence. » Online: December 2020 | Due to COVID-19 a workshop date will be set at a later stage » Tutor: Steve Cranefield » Watch this space! More information coming soon!

SHEEP, BEEF CATTLE AND DEER VETERINARIANS

On-farm consultancy skills Improve your ability to engage with farmers to improve their farm businesses. » Online: July 2020 | Due to COVID-19 a workshop date will be set at a later stage » Tutors: Graeme Dixon | Lab Wilson CPD Pathway | Awaiting final review for 5 Massey University credits.

» More information and registration at nzva.org.nz/event/20consult

SHEEP, BEEF CATTLE AND DEER VETERINARIANS

On-farm parasitology skills ONLINE

Latest diagnostics and treatment for internal parasites of sheep, cattle and deer. » Date: October 2020 » Tutors: Clive Bingham | Ginny Dodunski CPD Pathway | Under development for 5 Massey University credits.

» Watch this space! More information coming soon!

LARGE ANIMAL VETERINARY TECHNICIANS

Fundamental skills and procedures

branch of the nzva

ONLINE

Increase skills and knowledge on commonly encountered diseases and procedures. » Date: November 2020 » Tutors: Kate Gloyn | Ben Hodgson » Watch this space! More information coming soon!

Check out www.nzva.org.nz/educationhub VetScript May 2020 – 53

NEWS AND VIEWS

ONLINE | WORKSHOP

Official CPD of the New Zealand Veterinary Association

EQUINE VETERINARIANS

Introduction to race day and competition duty Learn the important skills required for race-day duty and other equine events. » Online: 27 July–9 Aug 2020 | Due to COVID-19 workshop dates will be set at a later stage » Tutors: Leigh de Clifford | Roisin McQuillan | Fred Pauwels | Jenny Sonis | Michelle Dicken Tony Parsons | Ivan Bridge | Murray Brightwell » More information and registration at nzva.org.nz/event/20eqfa

EQUINE VETERINARIANS

Upper airway endoscopy roadshow WORKSHOP

Learn the basics of equine respiratory endoscopy. » Due to COVID-19 course format and dates will be confirmed as soon as possible » Tutor: Brian Anderson | Andrea Ritmeester » More information at nzva.org.nz/event/20eqendo

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 » More information and registration at nzva.org.nz/event/2020ldpro

ALL VETERINARY PERSONNEL

2020 Leadership intelligence programme Contemporary and relevant leadership training.

ONLINE

» Start now! » Optional coaching support and implementation programme available » More information and registration at nzva.org.nz/event/2020ldint

Check out www.nzva.org.nz/educationhub 54 – VetScript May 2020

CRAMPTON

Consulting Group

NEWS AND VIEWS

ALL VETERINARY PERSONNEL

CONFERENCE

2021 NZVA Conference Save the date for the 2021 NZVA mega conference! » Date: 22–24 June 2021 | Location: Christchurch » 11 different lecture streams | Workshops offered on 25 June 2021 » Watch this space! More information coming soon!

CPD ACCREDITATION

ALL VETERINARY PERSONNEL

Looking at CPD from another organisation?

Be sure to check for the NZVA accreditation tick! » Quality CPD guaranteed » Animal ethics and welfare standards assured » More information available at nzva.org.nz/edhub/accrediation

NZVA would like to thank our Education Partners

VetScript May 2020 – 55

VetCPD

Online ALL VETERINARIANS

Backyard chooks and other feathered friends Increase your confidence and skills diagnosing and treating common pet poultry and small flock problems.

ADD POULTRY TO the list of species you know how to treat effectively with this

COURSE DETAILS DATES: Online: 6–19 July 2020

TOPICS: » Clinical examination of the individual bird

comprehensive course all about pet and small flock chooks! As well as being a popular pet in many urban settings, there has been an increase in the number of semi-commercial flocks in New Zealand. This means that veterinarians are increasingly expected to have a working knowledge of disease conditions in chickens and other poultry in order to best serve their current and potential clients.

This course will cover a wide range of topics to help you increase your knowledge, shift your practice to preventive medicine and achieve better welfare for your poultry clients’ birds! Regardless of whether you are treating one chook or a flock, this course will equip you with the essential skills you need to be an effective poultry veterinarian.

Diversify your practice and feel comfortable tackling cases that previously may have been too challenging. With support from experienced tutors you can make a real difference to your clients’ poultry with this online course!

» Diagnostics in the individual and flock situation

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

TUTORS:

» » » »

Neil Christensen BVSc, Registered Specialist in Poultry Medicine

Expand the range of patient species you feel confident caring for.

Learn how to more effectively treat your poultry patients.

Enhance the welfare outcomes for your poultry cases.

Make more rational antibiotic and therapeutic choices.

Further information is available at nzva.org.nz/event/20avian.

This course is worth eight hours of CPD activity. NZVA members get access to the MyCPD record. n

» Postmortem examination » Internal and external parasites » Marek’s disease » Egg problems » Systemic bacterial disease » Salmonellosis » Medication and vaccination » Anaesthesia and surgery

Dawn Mills BVSc, MANZCVS (Poultry Health)

PRICES: NZVA member Non-member

$460 $920

Prices are in NZD and include GST of 15%.

Proudly sponsored by

Brought to you by the NZVA. More events at: www.nzva.org.nz/educationhub 56 – VetScript May 2020

NEWS CLASSIFIEDS AND VIEWS

AUCKLAND

Companion animal veterinarian Kohimarama Veterinary Clinic is located in Auckland’s desirable eastern suburbs.

We have three full-time veterinarians and a team of qualified veterinary nurses and office staff.

We require an experienced veterinarian, with at least two years’ experience in companion animal practice, and who is dedicated to offering our patients the best of care and developing a culture of excellence.

The position is full-time and includes shared weekends but no after-hours work.

Part-time or locum veterinarians are also welcome to apply.

The position is available from May 2020.

Kohimarama Veterinary Clinic is a wellequipped, modern practice with excellent surgical and dental facilities. Our clients are well informed and motivated to do the best for their pets, which makes managing cases interesting and challenging.

Excellent peer support is available and we work together as a close team.

Continuing education and specialisation are encouraged and supported.

If you are interested in working in a progressive, privately owned, modern practice that practises high-quality medicine, please send your CV and references to russellt@kohivet.co.nz. www.kohivet.co.nz

AUCKLAND

Part-time companion animal veterinarian We are an independent, locally owned, growing practice looking for an experienced part-time 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: • digital radiography X-ray • iM3 dental suite • intravenous fluid pumps • in-house IDEXX catalyst blood testing, then please send your CV and references to tristan.davies@ rothesaybayvet.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

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.

2020 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING The classified section is a great place to advertise for help wanted and to list items and practices that are for sale or that you want to buy. VetScript accepts classified ads for veterinary technicians, veterinary nurses, practice managers and veterinary office staff, as well as for veterinarians.

Web-only advertising is available in the Classified Advertisements section of the NZVA website: $204 for 200 words; $31 per extra 20 words

Positions at BESTPRACTICE-accredited practices are placed at the beginning of the classified section on a BESTPRACTICE-branded background, so be sure to identify if your practice is BESTPRACTICE-accredited.

The 1st of the month preceding publication.

All rates are exclusive of GST. Rates General classifieds (minimum charge $132 = 4cm): $33 per column cm

Relist at 50% off initial fee (continuous relisting only Deadline for booking and copy

Late classifieds Printed on loose, coloured insert and placed on the NZVA website for one month. Only distributed to New Zealand subscribers. Deadline is the 20th of the month preceding publication.

Quarter page (83 x 115mm): $528 Half page (170 x 115mm): $815

Marketplace advertising of items for sale up to $5,000 value (Marketplace is not for employment opportunities); maximum 25 words: $72 for NZVA members, $97 for non-members

Full page (170 x 230mm): $1,095

Relist at 50% off initial fee (continuous relisting only).

Advertisements section of the NZVA website: $240 for 200 words; $36 per extra 20 words

For special features, including borders and screens, please contact the NZVA (details below).

Website

Overseas advertisers (in NZ$) Per column cm (minimum charge $152 = 4cm) $38

Relist at 50% off initial fee (continuous relisting only).

All classified advertisements are placed on the NZVA website (www.nzva.org.nz) at no additional cost.

Enquiries and bookings For enquiries, bookings and to submit copy, please contact the NZVA Membership Coordinator:

Early placement on website (prior to VetScript publication date): $92

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

VetScript May 2020 – I

URINARY CARE

SOME SEE BARRIERS

WE SEE BREAKTHROUGHS Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Stress is formulated to help prevent recurrences of FIC — so your patient can rejoin the family.

1

The ONLY nutrition shown in a controlled study to reduce the rate of recurring feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) signs by 89%1

2

Dissolves struvite stones in as little as 7 days (average 27 days)2

3

With L-tryptophan and hydryolysed casein to help manage stress, a known risk factor for FIC 3,4

A STEP AHEAD FOR THEIR BEST LIFE 1

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2015;247(5):508-517. the dissolution of struvite uroliths in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;243(8):1147-1153. Average 27 days in vivo study in urolith forming cats. 3Pereira GG, Fragoso S, Pires E. Proceedings. BSAVA 2010.

J Vet Behav. 2007;2(2):40-46. Hill’s, Prescription Diet, c/d & SOX Shield are trademarks owned by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. © 2020 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Pty Limited. HIMA-HB-2006B19C

IMMIJ41170/0320

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