Adelaide small animal veterinarian Julia Nicholls has been elected president of the Australian Veterinary Association Board. “I have been on the board for four years and have served terms as treasurer and vice president. I have been fortunate in having the support and friendship of my fellow directors […]
Vet Ethics: Ag-gag laws – the good, the bad and the indifferent
The so-called “ag-gag” legislation is a hot topic in some animal farming and animal activist and circles. Recently passed in several States, ag-gag laws criminalize aspects of undercover filming or photographing in factory farms, puppy-mills, and other animal-producing facilities in the USA. This anti-whistleblower legislation arrives at a time when […]
Gammeherpesvirus a potential pathogen in cats
An international team of researchers lead by Australian veterinarian Associate Professor Julia Beatty has identified a novel gammaherpesvirus as a widespread potential pathogen in cats. Gammaherpesviruses (GHVs) affect a very broad range of species including humans and other primates, ruminants, squirrels, badgers and sea lions. Like all herpesviruses […]
Sow postural changes, responsiveness towards piglet screams and their impact on piglet mortality in pens and crates
Free farrowing pens (pens) improve the welfare of sows, but may increase sow activity and negatively influence piglet production. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of pens and crates on sow postural changes, piglet trapping, sow responses towards piglet screams, piglet mortality, and piglet body weight […]
1080 for Tasmania
In a move which has alarmed conservationists and animal welfare groups, Tasmania’s state government has indicated it would lift the ban on the use of 1080 poison as a control method for browsing animals on agricultural land. During 2006 and in response to growing public concern about the lingering deaths […]