Oral biology and disorders of lagomorphs.

Rabbit medicine, and dentistry in particular, is still at an early stage of development. With an understanding of the underlying oral physiology it is possible to devise an appropriate treatment regime for most dental problems after the nature and extent of disease has been assessed. Although many of the dental problems that are seen in practice cannot be cured, most can be controlled or managed to allow the affected rabbit to maintain a good quality of life. The continuously growing nature of the teeth makes recurrence and progression of problems the norm, so owner education and ongoing monitoring of animals is essential. By assessing the effects, beneficial or otherwise, of out treatments and communicating this to others, we will develop our knowledge and skills. Several treatments that are suggested in this article must be considered as "experimental" because they have not been assessed in large numbers of animals. If they work for you, or more importantly, if you find unexpected complications with a treatment method (as has happened with the use of calcium hydroxide paste treatment of abscess cavities) then please publicize the fact so that others can avoid the problem. Until the message on prevention can be reliably transmitted to owners, we will continue to have oral and dental problems to manage. After confidence and experience has been gained in anesthetizing rabbits it is possible to refine one's dental skills to be able to rapidly perform a thorough examination and basic treatments. Major and complex treatments require careful consideration because they may add to the animal's problems, rather than improving the situation. The best method for learning rabbit dentistry is to routinely perform postmortem examinations following euthanasia of affected animals, and spend an hour or two practicing handling the instruments and performing procedures on a cadaver. If you are not confident in your ability or do not have the best equipment for the job, the client should be informed and offered the opportunity to be referral to a "specialist."     

Complex and open fractures: a straightforward approach to management in the cat

CLINICAL CHALLENGES: Cats often present with traumatic injuries of the limbs, including complex and open fractures, frequently as a result of road traffic accidents. On initial assessment, complex and open fractures may appear to require expertise beyond the experience of the general practitioner and, in some cases, referral to a specialist may be indicated or amputation should be considered. PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Many cases, however, can be managed using straightforward principles. This review describes a logical and practical approach to treating such injuries. It discusses general principles of fracture management, highlights the treatment of open fractures, and describes the use of external skeletal fixation for stabilisation of both open and complex fractures. EQUIPMENT: Most fractures can be stabilised using equipment and expertise available in general practice if the basic principles of fracture fixation are understood and rigorously applied. EVIDENCE BASE: Many textbooks and journal articles have been published on the management of fractures in companion animals, presenting case studies, case series and original biomechanical research. The simple strategy for managing complex injuries that is provided in this review is based on the published literature and the author's clinical experience.     

Science and mankind

Extract

In addressing a gathering of veterinarians, it is fair to claim that I am speaking to fellow scientists, since, having been trained as a biologist and having spent twenty years in biological research, I may reasonably say that I am in a major respect one of you. I have chosen as the subject for this address, “Science and Mankind,” since I believe that the world in general still needs more and not less science, in spite of the pass to which modern technological developments have brought us, and I believe also that the scientific method and the scientific mood are very valuable attitudes which can help us not only in our external relations but also in our daily lives.     

Epidemiology for the equine practitioner.

In this article, I have discussed the principles and methods of outbreak investigation, reinforcing important concepts with examples from the veterinary literature. The approach presented is applicable to outbreaks caused by any agent whether it is infectious versus noninfectious or contagious versus noncontagious. The solutions vary. The experience of others presented with similar situations may be especially helpful. Because of their nature, outbreaks are difficult to prepare for. When faced with a potential outbreak, the best strategy is to approach it scientifically, systematically, and with an open mind.     

Presidential Address,New Zealand Veterinary Association Annual Conference,Waitangi, May 1982 FIRE

It appears that it is expected of the incumbent President of the New Zealand Veterinary Association to impart in the address to this Conference words of wisdom that have been garnered over the years; words that should encourage, challenge and maybe chastise; and I hope to do this within an optimum concentration period for this type of talk. I have selected my subject very carefully though it contains but a single word, since I believe that it can encompass the whole range of veterinary endeavour in my time.     

The owner-animal-environment triad in the treatment of canine periodontal disease

In a perfect world, all veterinarians and veterinary dental technicians would understand periodontal disease as well as the dental specialist. They would all be able to recognize the early signs of periodontal disease and recommend treatment to prevent its progression. The owners would have the financial resources, time, and desire to maintain their pet's oral health. The dogs would all be calm and compliant with home care and have no particular anesthetic risks. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world. Some veterinarians do not understand periodontal disease any better that I understand cosmic string theory. Some owners have limited financial resources and are not particularly committed to their pet's oral health. Some animals will not tolerate any type or manner of home care. Given that animals, their mouths, and their owners come in an infinite variety of shapes and sizes (figuratively and literally), how can we talk about the treatment of periodontal disease as if it is a single condition with a single treatment, or even only a few treatment options? Each owner, animal, and its environment must be assessed on an individual basis to develop a treatment plan that is reasonable and attainable based on the unique circumstances of each case. So, what should be the goal when treating periodontal disease? Is it the preservation of all teeth at all costs? Is it the preservation of important teeth if the costs can be kept reasonable? I would suggest that the overriding goal of periodontal treatment should be the elimination and prevention of oral infection and oral pain. In the domestic environment, dogs have no real need to defend territory. They have no need to prehend and kill live prey animals. In short, the domesticated pet dog does not need teeth at all. This may seem like an odd statement for a veterinary dentist to make, but I feel quite strongly that a dog is far better off having no teeth than having bad teeth. My preference is that a dog should have a full set of healthy, functional teeth, but preserving bad teeth in the face of a poor or questionable prognosis serves no positive purpose.     

Pre-matriculation indicators of academic difficulty during veterinary school

The purpose of this study was to assess pre-matriculation academic and demographic data to identify risk factors for academic difficulty and failure to graduate among veterinary students. Admissions data were compiled for 1,098 students admitted to veterinary college between 1989 and 2000 inclusive. Students were classified by (a) academic success, consisting of students who completed veterinary school within four years in the top 90% of the class or (b) academic difficulty, including students dismissed for academic reasons, students who experienced academic delay, and students who graduated with a cumulative GPA in the 10th percentile of their class. Of 1,098 admitted students, 930 (84.7%) completed veterinary school within four years in the top 90% of their class. Among students with academic difficulty, 94 (8.6%) completed veterinary school in four years in the 10th percentile, 44 (4%) experienced academic delay, and 30 (2.7%) were dismissed. Academic difficulty was associated with a low prerequisite GPA, a low GRE score, poor undergraduate institutional selectivity, and older age (> or =35 years). Students who attended three-or-more undergraduate institutions or two-year colleges prior to attending a four year institution were 1.9 times more likely to experience academic difficulty and 3.87 times more likely to fail to graduate than students who attended a four-year institution (major or small) to complete their prerequisites. These study findings may assist with early identification of students at greater risk of experiencing academic difficulty and support the consideration of cognitive selection criteria (GRE and GPA) and undergraduate institutional experience during the admissions process.     

Critical perspectives of animal agriculture: introduction

The American Society of Animal Science has recently focused its attention on a variety of contentious issues in animal agriculture. This paper deals with critique, a philosophical approach to analyzing and understanding issues. This method has been employed by various contemporary philosophers. For example, feminist theorists have used this approach to critically analyze sexual harassment. Critique involves a critical analysis of the discourse (ideas or language) and practices that define the social reality in which we live. How we think about the world and how we behave in it determines how we humans interact with each other as well as with the rest of nature. This social structure is associated with power structures that benefit some individuals and harm others. In this paper, I demonstrate how critique can be used to better understand the social reality of animal agriculture. By analyzing certain popular texts in this field, I show that a "mechanical view of nature" is dominant in animal agriculture and argue that such a view contributes to a social reality that can be harmful to some humans and other animals. I conclude that various contentious issues can be better addressed when we engage in a critical analysis of this conceptual framework and base our analysis on the experiences of many different people, including those who have been harmed by our current system of animal agriculture.     

Some problems of animal health in Australia and New Zealand

Extract

My first visit to New Zealand was in 1924, when, immediately after graduating at the Veterinary School of the University of Melbourne, I took up a first appointment to a subsidized practice in the County of Ellesmere. I was then one of fewer than a dozen practitioners, and Government veterinarians were not much more numerous. This period of about two years in practice provided a valuable part of the field experience which is so essential to a research worker. It is again a memorable occasion when, on my return 37 years later, I have the honour to address the New Zealand Veterinary Association comprising some 300 members.     

Externship program for large animal clinical education at the University of Minnesota: description and evaluation.

In 1970, the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota started an externship program as part of their large animal clinical education program. The basic idea was to work in cooperation with practitioners, using their practice world as a teaching resource. During the 1973-1974 school year, this program was evaluated by the University of Minnesota Measurement Services Center. In this externship program, senior year students spend 1 or 2 weeks in practice that closely matches each student's career interest, eg, cow-calf, dairy, swine, or zoo. The participating veterinarians are charged with the responsibility of performing as teachers during the field experience and of assisting the student in preparing a seminar topic. This seminar topic is presented in a discussion format during the spring quarter to other externship students, faculty, and attending practitioners. Since 1970, a total of 176 students have taken externships, and every year 15 to 20 group practices have participated. The principal evaluation results were based on questionnaire responses from 36 students and 20 practices during the 1973-1974 academic year. Students and practitioners indicated that the externship had been a beneficial experience for them. Many felt that the period of externship should have been longer. In general, practitioners agreed that students were able to manage most diagnostic situations and manipulative procedures that occurred during the externship. The seminar was judged by students and practitioners to be a valuable part of the program, and faculty who participated in the seminar believed that it made them more aware of field situations facing practicing veterinarians.     

大学学报特色与使命关系研究

在编辑学理论关于大学学报的研究中,一个所谓重要的命题就是"特色生命论"。这个命题没有把学报特色与真正的历史使命和功能这个根本关系摆正,难以成立。首先,科学和登载它的学报不一定非要有什么特色,"学术乃天下之公器"。其次,学报是高等学校主办的、以反映本校科研和教学成果为主的学术理论刊物。学报的本质是学术期刊,它的安身立命要求必须按照学术期刊的办刊规律来办刊,放弃自己的历史使命而去追求所谓的"特色",是本末倒置。再次,学报不看重"特色",并不意味着不需要策划也并不意味着放弃地域文化优势的发挥。     

Hunter acceptance of antlerless moose harvest in Alaska: Importance of agency trust,proximity of hunter residence to hunting area,and hunting experience

Liberalized harvest of antlerless moose (Alces alces) in Alaska has resulted in conflict between wildlife managers and hunters. To address this issue, I surveyed moose hunters (n = 845, 35% response rate) to quantify and characterize acceptance of antlerless moose harvest. I found that 16%, 69%, and 15% of hunters thought antlerless hunts were always, sometimes, or never acceptable, respectively. Characteristics of the never acceptable group frequently differed from the other two groups. Using a multinomial logistic regression, I estimated that the odds of a hunter being in the never acceptable group was more likely if he/she strongly distrusted agency data (odds = 4.8), resided in the area with antlerless hunts (odds = 3.5), and had >20 years of moose hunting experience (odds = 3.4). My findings imply that a relatively small proportion of hunters can disproportionately direct wildlife management attention, especially in the absence of scientifically derived information on the human dimensions.     

Fungal diseases of fish.

Fungal diseases of fish have become increasingly important over the past 20 years. The traditional "fungi" are comprised of members from several different taxonomic kingdoms. Saprolegnia and other typical water molds are the "classic" secondary invaders, infecting more superficial areas of the body and requiring compromise of the exterior of the fish, poor water quality, or general immunosuppression. An increasing number of other environmental fungi are being reported from diseased fish, further testament to the opportunistic nature of many fungi. Common procedures such as air bladder deflation for many marine species collected at depth under nonsterile conditions may result in fungal infections of the swim bladder. Some fungi such as Aphanomyces and Fusarium can cause more invasive or systemic disease, often associated with changes in environmental factors such as temperature and salinity. Other fungi such as I. hoferi can be even more insidious and chronic, mimicking mycobacteriosis to a degree. Fungal diseases, in general, are very difficult to control or treat once they have taken hold. Prevention is, as always, the best medicine. Increased knowledge of basic biology will help guide treatment and control methods. Further research on general predisposing factors, species susceptibilities, immune system effects and other protective mechanisms in fish and more effective chemotherapeutics for external and systemic infections are needed.     

“Side Disease”—An atypical form of Azoturia in horses

Extract

On being questioned, many years ago, as to the nature of what trainers at Riccarton called “Side Disease” occurring occasionally in horses in training, I had to admit not having heard of the condition, and, until I had seen such a case, could not offer any suggestions regarding it.     

台湾地区国家公园志工管理体系的借鉴意义——以太鲁阁国家公园为例

志工群体是自然保护及管理的重要辅助力量.我国台湾地区的国家公园系统自应用志工制度以来,有效借助社会人力资源缓解工作人员紧张,提供了良好的游憩和环境教育服务.本文借助资料搜集、实地调查、专员访谈等方法,分析了台湾地区国家公园志工管理体系的运作模式,重点讨论了太鲁阁国家公园的志工类别、招募办法、教育培训、执勤服务、管理考核、奖励及福利权益等内容,从法律化、组织化及制度化探讨其对我国大陆地区自然保护区志愿者工作的启示和借鉴意义.     

Utility of two‐view vs. three‐view abdominal radiography in canines presenting with acute abdominal signs

There are clear differences in the normal radiographic appearance of the abdominal organs between a left lateral vs. a right lateral view. While a few veterinary academic institutions have transitioned to a three‐view abdominal radiographic study protocol, obtaining only two views of the canine abdomen remains the current standard in veterinary medicine. In this combined retrospective and prospective, case‐controlled study, 48 canine patients presenting with signs of acute abdomen were recruited. Four board‐certified veterinary radiologists and four general practice veterinarians with greater than 3 years of experience in small animal practice were asked to determine if 10 predetermined findings were present within the set of images and if surgery was recommended based on those findings. Image readers were unaware of the clinical history. Three‐view studies did not yield statistically significantly greater accuracy than two‐view studies when evaluating all readers together. No statistically significant associations between the availability of the third view and increased accuracy or confidence were found in evaluations of general practitioners specifically. Evaluation of three‐view radiographic examination, as compared to two‐view examination, did not have perceived or statistically significantly increased diagnostic utility. Based on our findings, there is no statistically increased utility to justify a standard three‐view abdominal radiographic examination over a two‐view study for canines presenting with signs of acute abdomen.     

Natural history of Ehrlichia ruminantium

Ehrlichia ruminantium is an obligately intracellular proteobacterium which causes a disease known as heartwater or cowdriosis in some wild, and all domestic, ruminants. The organism is transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, and it is of serious economic importance wherever the natural vectors occur, an area which includes all of sub-Saharan Africa, and several islands in the Caribbean. The disease was first recognized in South Africa in the 19th century, where its tick-borne nature was determined in 1900, but the organism itself was not demonstrated until 1925, when it was recognized to be a rickettsia, initially named Rickettsia ruminantium. It was thus the first species of what are now known as Ehrlichia to be discovered, and most of the early work to elucidate the nature of the organisms, and its reservoirs and vectors, was performed in South Africa. The next milestone was the development, in 1945, of an infection and treatment regimen to immunize livestock, and this is still the only commercially available “vaccine” against the disease. Then in 1985, after fruitless attempts over many years, the organism was propagated reliably in tissue culture, opening the way for the first application of the newly developed techniques of molecular genetics. From 1990 onwards the pace of heartwater research accelerated rapidly, with notable advances in phylogeny, diagnosis, epidemiology, immunology, and vaccine development. The complete genome sequence was published in 2005, and during the last two years a new understanding has arisen of the remarkable genetic variability of the organism and new experimental vaccines have been developed. Despite all this the goal of producing an effective vaccine against the disease in the field still remains frustratingly just beyond reach. This article summarises our current understanding of the nature of E. ruminantium, at a time when the prospects for the development of an effective vaccine against the organism seem better than at any time since its discovery 83 years ago.     

Has Sarcocystis neurona Dubey et al., 1991 (Sporozoa: Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) cospeciated with its intermediate hosts?

The question of how Sarcocystis neurona is able to overcome species barrier and adapt to new hosts is central to the understanding of both the evolutionary origin of S. neurona and the prediction of its field host range. Therefore, it is worth reviewing current knowledge on S. neurona host specificity. The available host range data for S. neurona are discussed in relation to a subject of evolutionary importance—specialist or generalist and its implications to understand the strategies of host adaptation. Current evidences demonstrate that a wide range of hosts exists for S. neurona. This parasite tends to be highly specific for its definitive host but much less so for its intermediate host (I.H.). The unique specificity of S. neurona for its definitive host may be mediated by a probable long coevolutionary relationship of the parasite and carnivores in a restricted ecological niche ‘New World’. This might be taken as evidence that carnivores are the ‘original’ host group for S. neurona. Rather, the capacity of S. neurona to exploit an unusually large number of I.H. species probably indicates that S. neurona maintains non-specificity to its I.H. as an adaptive response to insure the survival of the parasite in areas in which the ‘preferred’ host is not available. This review concludes with the view that adaptation of S. neurona to a new host is a complex interplay that involves a large number of determinants.