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 Several toy breed dogs are predisposed to syringomyelia (SM), a spinal cord disorder, characterised by fluid-filled cavitation. SM is a complex trait with a moderately high heritability. Selective breeding against SM is confounded by its complex inheritance, its late onset nature and high prevalence in some breeds. This study investigated the early outcome of existing SM breeding guidelines. Continue reading Effectiveness of breeding guidelines for reducing the prevalence of syringomyelia  John Skuja and Emma Kennedy in Townsville with the East Arnhem Shire agreement. An AMRRIC program to recruit Indigenous animal management workers in several Northern Territory shires has progressed with the appointment of a project manager, whilE East Arnhem Shire has also formally confirmed its involvement in the program. Veterinarian John Skuja has taken up the position of Project Manager with AMRRIC. Skuja has a background in emergency veterinary hospitals, as well as community development programs overseas with Vets Beyond Borders. The agreement with East Arnhem Shire was signed by East Arnhem Shire veterinarian and Animal Management Officer Emma Kennedy, along with AMRRIC’s Executive officer Julia Hardaker, and Project Manager John Skuja in Townsville at AMRRIC’s recent annual conference. AMRRIC (Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities) is a not-for-profit organisation set up by veterinarians which aims to improve the health and welfare of companion animals and improve the overall health and wellbeing of people in Australia’s Indigenous communities. Continue reading Progress with AMRRIC animal management worker program The Vietnamese subspecies of the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus) was declared extinct in a report critical of Vietnam’s ‘poor protection and law enforcement’ that was jointly produced by the International Rhino Foundation and World Wildlife Fund. Although widely believed to have perished during the Vietnam War, a rhino was hunted in the Cat Loc region of southern Vietnam in 1988, which led to the discovery of a small population of about 15 animals. The area was subsequently designated protected in 1992 and eventually incorporated into Cat Tien National Park, but despite conservation attempts by several organisations, the results of a 2004 survey identified only two individuals remained. Further survey work by a research team from WWF and Cat Tien National Park, conducted between October 2009 and April 2010, involved the collection of 22 dung samples from the park’s core rhino area. They were sent to Canada’s Queen’s University for genetic analysis, together with the skin and teeth samples from the mutilated body of a female Javan rhino, that was found soon after the official survey ended. The results confirmed that all the samples were from one individual. According to the WWF report the dead rhino was the probable victim of poaching: ‘a common problem in most protected areas in Vietnam that threatens the survival of many other species’. WWF’s species program manager in the Greater Mekong Nick Cox said the report showed actions to save the Javan rhino in Vietnam were inadequate, and this continued situation would undoubtedly lead to the extinction of many more species from the country. Continue reading Javan rhino confirmed extinct in Vietnam
The $10 million development of the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences School precinct will provide a new administration building, and a new pathology building, including a world-class necropsy facility. “As long as people and animals have worked and lived together, veterinary medicine has been an essential part of life,” he said. Hein said advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques had transformed the industry in modern times. For example, animals may now receive advanced medical, dental, and surgical care and JCU needs to ensure its facilities are keeping pace with modern advancements, he said. “This is a very exciting project, and will cement JCU’s reputation as one of Australia’s premier veterinary schools.” Continue reading New digs for all creatures great and small Vets are warning pet owners to be vigilant as an explosion of tick paralysis cases in Australia’s eastern states leaves a trail of casualties. Perfect breeding conditions have created huge numbers of paralysis ticks this summer, according to Australian Veterinary Association spokesperson Jodie Wilson. “The tick season is usually at its height in eastern states from spring through to autumn, but about 700 cases have already been logged in Queensland and NSW, which is extremely high for so early on in the season,” Wilson said. Continue reading Deadly tick season threatens pets
On the last day of a two month South American trip, Dorian was looking for a leafy hollow where he could finally lay to rest his leather hiking boots. For a decade they had served him well on extensive treks around the world but the last few weeks hiking in Argentina had finally proved too much. It was a sunny yet crisp spring day as he left the outskirts of San Martin de los Andes. Two dogs bounded into view, following him as he stepped onto a dirt track. He eyed them warily. Street dogs in South America have a reputation of bailing up lone hikers and these two were large enough to pose a potential threat. But they seemed more intent on play, wrestling and chasing each other around the trees and across the field. Dorian watched them for a while then resumed his search. A little way off the track he found a grassy hollow beneath a boulder at the edge of a forest. It was the perfect resting place and a fitting tribute to a faithful old pair of hiking boots. Carefully positioning them side by side he placed a yellow wildflower in each boot and reflected on the wild and beautiful landscapes they had trod. Continue reading Tails on the Trail – a vet’s stories from the road The owner of 22 horses which died on a southeast Queensland property has questioned a finding that scrub ticks or botulism probably caused the deaths. Steve Hogno said tests of horse-hair samples sent to a US laboratory had turned up high levels of heavy metals including manganese and zinc, among others. “They’re saying they’ve got some of the highest levels of heavy metals they’ve even seen,” Hogno told AAP. “Now we’ve got to try and find out where they’ve come from.” The US laboratory had indicated that ingestion of a toxic weed or outside intervention could have caused the high metal levels, Hogno said, and that he did not know why Biosecurity Queensland had reached such a drastically different conclusion. Continue reading Owner rejects horse deaths finding
 Anna Bligh. The Queensland Government had made significant changes to the way it handled Hendra virus outbreaks well before the ombudsman released a critical report, Premier Anna Bligh said. Ombudsman Phil Clarke’s report highlighted inadequate communication between veterinarians and horse owners. Clarke said systemic failures had hampered the Labor government’s response to six Hendra outbreaks between June 2006 and October 2009. The report, released early this month, identified outdated policies and procedures, and overlapping legislation that led to inconsistent quarantine practices. Training and resources for government agency staff, contractors and property owners were lacking. Records of decisions made were also inadequate and there was a poor framework for compensation payments Bligh said the report analysed how historic cases were handled, and ignored how government agencies had responded to the most recent incidents. “They date back several years and there’s been a very significant shift in the way the matter’s being dealt with now,” she said. “Nevertheless, when things like this happen you learn from it.” Clarke found some Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries staff had imposed quarantines contrary to law, and were uncertain about what personal protective equipment to use and how to employ it. The report dealt with 18 horses which died or were euthanased, two vets who died from Hendra, and a third vet who contracted the virus but recovered. Continue reading Bligh says govt acted before Hendra report |
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