Outbreak of salmonellosis in a zoologic collection of lorikeets and lories (Trichoglossus,Lorius, and Eos spp.)

During August 2001, a syndrome characterized by acute lethargy and dyspnea was observed in a population of 45 lorikeets and lories in an open-air zoologic exhibit. The first death occurred on August 10, and within the next 12 days, nine more birds died (22% mortality rate). Hepatomegaly, reddening and congestion of the lungs, and injection of the serosal surface of the intestines were the common gross findings. Histologic changes, including fibrinonecrotic hepatitis and splenitis, bacterial emboli (liver, spleen, lung, kidney, proventriculus), pulmonary congestion and hemorrhage, and enteritis, were indicative of an acute, overwhelming bacterial septicemia. Salmonella typhimurium, with the same antibiogram, was isolated from four birds. Several birds had attacked and killed a snake on July 24, and Salmonella serogroup B (untypeable) was isolated from intestine and kidney samples of a garter snake caught in the open-air exhibit on August 28. Salmonella was also isolated from environmental samples of the exhibit but not from food preparation areas. After antimicrobial therapy, Salmonella spp. was not isolated from the surviving birds. The source of Salmonella in this outbreak remains unknown, but infection either directly or indirectly from snakes in the exhibit is possible. Contact between captive psittacine populations and reptiles should be avoided to prevent the risk of salmonellosis.     

Workplace-based assessment in a primary-care setting

Workplace-based assessment (WBA) is the process of directly observing students' work within a clinical setting, assessing their performance, and providing specific, goal oriented feedback. Assessment methods used for workplace-based assessment include tools developed for clinical interaction (e.g., the mini clinical evaluation exercise [mini-CEX]), for procedural or technical skills (e.g., the direct observation of procedural skills [DOPS]), and multi-source feedback tools to assess interpersonal and technical skills. While several of these assessment methods are being adopted by veterinary schools to evaluate students' progress through their clinical rotations, there is little reported at this time about their utility and effectiveness within the veterinary context. This article provides an introduction to the use of these tools and offers guidance in selecting appropriate methods for assessment in the primary health care setting.     

Adopting control principles in a novel setting

The paper describes the introduction of Mycobacterium bovis into Swedish deer herds and its possible consequences. The different control strategies applied are summarized as well as their shortcomings under the conditions of the Swedish outbreak. An alternative control, to be used in extensive deer herds, based only on slaughter and meat inspection is described. Finally, the efficiency of the implemented control and surveillance systems are discussed and possible improvements suggested.     

Problems translating a questionnaire in a cross-cultural setting.

Questionnaires are widely used in veterinary epidemiological studies. With careful design, assessment and administration, questionnaires can collect accurate data. In cross-cultural settings, questionnaire design is complicated by the added step of translation. As part of a cross-sectional study of smallholder pig raisers in the Philippines, we assessed the importance of translation as a source of error in our questionnaire. The questionnaire contained 120 questions that collected data for entry into 361 separate data-entry fields in a computerised database. The translation was verified using the methods of back-translation and pilot-testing to identify and quantify errors of literal translation, omission and mistranslation. Errors were identified in 44 (37%) questions that obtained data for 147 (41%) data-entry fields. Although errors might have remained in the final translated version of the questionnaire, we have no doubt that the verification procedures substantially improved the internal validity of the questionnaire. It is important that veterinary epidemiologists use such procedures to check the internal validity of translated questionnaires.     

Use of controlled ventilation in a clinical setting

Mechanical ventilation has long been used to maintain ventilation in humans when the lungs are rendered incapable of oxygenation or when respiration is affected by central nervous system depression, but it has only recently been applied to similar cases in dogs and cats. Although manual ventilation is still the more common form of ventilation in dogs and cats, mechanical intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) is a much more efficient and reliable means of maintaining the highest quality of respiratory assistance. With proper training, technicians can use IPPV to support compromised animals until they are capable of maintaining normal oxygen concentrations.     

High Mycobacterium bovis genetic diversity in a low prevalence setting

The genetic diversity among South African Mycobacterium bovis isolates from cattle was determined by genetic fingerprinting. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers IS6110 and polymorphic GC-rich sequence (PGRS) as well as spoligotyping and determination of variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) were used to characterize sub samples of 91 M. bovis field isolates. PGRS RFLP was the single most discriminatory method and combinations of typing methods, which included IS6110 and/or PGRS had the highest discriminatory power, able to reveal 29 distinct genotypes among 35 farms with no epidemiological link. Three of the farms were co-infected with two genetically unrelated strains. In contrast to reports from European and also other colonised countries on the African continent our findings are suggestive of a high genetic diversity of M. bovis in South Africa's cattle population, implying a variety of unrelated ancestor strains. Despite effective intervention through test-and-slaughter campaigns no indication of a 'founder effect' was apparent in the panel of isolates derived from all infected provinces.     

Dystocia in a referral hospital setting: approach and results

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Dystocia in the mare is an emergency in which duration has a profound effect on survival of the foal. Specific examination of the effects of dystocia duration on foal survival provides information to enable horse care personnel and veterinarians to manage these cases more effectively and maximise the chances of obtaining a live foal. HYPOTHESIS: Dystocia duration would have a negative impact on foal survival while method of dystocia resolution would not have an effect on foal survival. Additionally, we were interested in determining the effects of dystocia on subsequent fertility. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the years 1986-1999, 247 dystocias were admitted. Of these, 91 % resulted in survival and discharge of the mare, 42% in delivery of a live foal, and 29% of foals survived to discharge. Period from hospital arrival to delivery for foals alive at discharge (23.0 +/- 14.1 mins) was not significantly different than for foals not surviving (24.8 +/- 10.6 mins) (P > 0.05); and from chorioallantoic rupture to delivery for foals alive at discharge (71.7 +/- 343 mins) was significantly less than for foals not surviving (853 +/- 37.4 mins) (P < 0.05). Average predystocia live foaling rates for all mares with available records was 84%. Overall post dystocia live foaling rates over the entire period of this study were 67%. Of mares bred in the year of the dystocia, 59% had a live foal in the year following. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, dystocia duration has a significant effect on foal survival and resolution methods should be chosen to minimise this time, as the difference between mean dystocia duration for foals that lived and those that did not in this study was 13.6 mins. Post dystocia foaling rates reported here are higher than previously reported for both same-season and overall breedings, indicating same-season breeding may be rewarding for select dystocia cases. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Dystocia resolution methods that minimise delivery time may maximise foal survival. Post dystoicia breeding may be rewarding in select cases.     

The role of social work in a veterinary hospital setting

Social workers can assist veterinarians and their clients in dealing with such difficult situations as euthanasia decisions, grief reactions, and professional stress. They are already at work at The Animal Medical Center, where they counsel clients individually and in groups, consult with veterinarians on client relations and how to cope with their own stress, and develop educational programs for employees and others.