In this issue – November 2011

H1N1 influenza in pigs in Australia · Postnatal neurogenetic disorders · Deltamethrin collar for paralysis ticks in dogs · Myocardial laceration from sewing needle · Physiotherapy for tetanus in a foal · Morbillivirus in a bottle‐nosed dolphin · Sarcoptic manage in a swamp wallaby · Psychological health of veterinarians in Australia · History of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists     

Tonographic effects of pilocarpine and pilocarpineepinephrine in dogs

Topical pilocarpine (1·0, 2·0 and 4·0 per cent) and 2·0 per cent pilocarpine plus 1·0 per cent epinephrine markedly increased conventional aqueous humour outflow, as measured by noninvasive tonography, in both normal beagles and beagles with inherited glaucoma. Pilocarpine in normal eyes increased the coefficient of outflow from 0·33 μl/min/mmHg (pre-drug) to 0·55 μl/min/mmHg (1·0 per cent), 0·57 μl/min/mmHg (2·0 per cent), and 0·61 μl/min/mmHg (4·0 per cent). In beagles with inherited glaucoma, topical pilocarpine increased the coefficient of outflow from 0·15 μl/min/mmHg (pre-drug) to 0·24 μl/min/mmHg (1·0 per cent), 0·21 μl/min/mrnHg (2·0 per cent) and 0·38 μl/min/mmHg (4·0 per cent). The 2·0 per cent pilocarpine plus 1·0 per cent epinephrine solution in normal eyes increased the coefficient of outflow from 0·27 μl/min/mmHg to 0·36 μl/min/mmHg. In the glaucomatous eyes the 2 per cent pilocarpine plus 1 per cent epinephrine combination increased the coefficient outflow from 0·20 μl/min/mmHg to 0·30 μl/min/mmHg.     

Normal serum and colostrum levels of IgG1, IgM and IgA in indigenous,exotic and crossbred cattle in Nigeria

Serum and colostrum levels of IgG₁, IgM and IgA were determined in the indigenous White Fulani and Ndama cattle, the exotic German Brown and crosses between the local Ndama and German Brown breeds kept under similar husbandry conditions in Nigeria. Of these breeds, adult Ndama had the highest plasma values of immunoglobulins (IgG₁ 26·4 ± 6·2 mg/ml, IgM 4·3 ± 1·2 mg/ml, IgA 0·97 ± 0·3 mg/ml) while the German Brown had the lowest (IgG₁ 24·6 ± 3·9 mg/ml, IgM 0·98 ± 0·3 mg/ml, IgA 0·51 ± 0·1 mg/ml). The German Brown X Ndama had similar plasma values to the German Brown parental stock except for IgM values which were higher (IgG₁ 22·8 ± 8·0 mg/ml, IgM 2·20 ± 0·2 mg/ml, IgA 0·45 ± 0·1 mg/ml).In general, the concentrations of serum and colostrum immunoglobulins in these cattle were higher than for similar values in cattle breeds reared under temperate conditions.     

Comparison of measurements of 18 analytes in canine and feline blood samples using the in-practice Falcor 350 and the reference KoneLab 30i analysers

Objectives : Falcor 350 (A. Menarini Diagnostics) is a wet‐reagent biochemistry analyser that is available for in‐house use. The aim of this study was to compare the results produced by this analyser with those obtained by a wet‐reagent analyser (KoneLab 30i; Thermo Clinical Labsystems) that served as the reference instrument. Methods : Blood samples from 120 clinical cases (60 dogs and 60 cats) were analysed for 18 analytes (urea, creatinine, total proteins, albumin, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, amylase, lipase, glucose, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, total calcium, phosphate, sodium and potassium) using both the reference and Falcor instruments. Results : Good to excellent correlations (r_s value) (canine/feline) were identified for urea (0·87/0·86), creatinine (0·96/0·99), total proteins (0·91/0·95), albumin (0·96/0·93), creatine kinase (0·98/0·99), aspartate aminotransferase (0·95/0·98), alanine aminotransferase (0·99/0·99), alkaline phosphatase (0·99/0·98), total bilirubin in dogs (0·88), amylase (0·99/0·87), lipase in dogs (0·88), glucose (0·97/0·98), triacylglycerol (0·93/0·97), cholesterol (0·99/0·99), total calcium (0·88/0·89), phosphate (0·94/0·97) and potassium (0·96/0·97). The correlations for sodium (0·41/0·61), total bilirubin in cats (0·78) and lipase in cats (0·25) were considered unacceptable. Clinical Significance : For 13 of the 18 analytes (creatinine, total proteins, albumin, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, amylase, glucose, cholesterol, triacylglycerol, phosphate, potassium and urea) in both canine and feline samples, the two instruments produce values that are closely related to each other (excellent correlation) and are sufficiently similar to allow them to be used interchangeably without the need for additional correction factor computations (good agreement). Because of differences in the methodologies, the Falcor results for alkaline phosphatase, total calcium, sodium, lipase and total bilirubin cannot be used interchangeably with those generated by the KoneLab and should be interpreted using reference intervals established from the Falcor analyser.     

In this issue – November 2010

Management and preventive health care in aged horses · Echocardiographs in healthy Thoroughbred foals · Surgical stapling technique for caecal impaction in horses · MRI of the second phalanx in horses · Radiotransmitters in snakes · Nasotracheal intubation of a kangaroo · Avian tracheal resection and anastomosis · Nasal bot fly in a cat · First report of Cryptosporidium andersoni in Australian cattle     

Electrolyte and protein levels in bovine tears

Electrolyte and protein levels were measured in lacrimal fluid collected from both eyes of 20 calves. In the 40 samples analysed mean levels of sodium were 138 ± 1·0 mmol/l, potassium 20 ± 0·5 mmol/l, calcium 0·79 ± 0·04 mmol/l, magnesium 0·56 ± 0·02 mmol/l, chloride 133 ± 1·5 mmol/l, inorganic phosphate 0·18 ± 0·03 mmol and protein 7 ± 0·4 g/l. Tear collection rate was 130 ± 13 μl/min. Significant positive correlations were found between levels of sodium and chloride (0·55, P < 0·01) and calcium and magnesium (0·42, P < 0·01), and negative correlations between sodium and potassium (0·67, P < 0·001), calcium and chloride (0·37, P < 0·05), calcium and tear collection rate (0·32, P < 0·05), and magnesium and tear collection rate (0·32, P < 0·05). Pairing the right and left eyes of each animal, all measured components showed significant correlations except inorganic phosphate, protein and collection rates.     

In this issue – April 2012

Financial effect of bovine Johne's disease · Detection of rotavirus and coronavirus in calf faeces · Canine vector‐borne diseases · Parvovirus in the bone marrow of cats · Toxoplasmosis in flying foxes · Poxvirus infection in common ringtails · Inferior alveolar nerve blocks in horses · Chewing disease in grazing horses     

In this issue – December 2011

Overview of the Australian sheep industry · The first incisor eruption in Angora goats · Hepatitis E in pigs in New Caledonia · Thromboelastography in neonatal foals · Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in dogs · Harmonic scalpel for soft palate surgery in dogs · Fungal dermatitis in coastal bearded dragons · Osteosarcoma in a python     

In this issue – October 2011

AVA Policies · Unilateral uterine torsion in a bitch · Q fever in dogs in Townsville · Purchase price and racing performance of Thoroughbred yearlings · Review of genetic neurological defects in cattle · Bovine salmonellosis and antibiotic sensitivity · Chlamydial load and infectious disease in koalas · History of endemic disease regulation in Australia     

Pharmacokinetic analysis of cefquinome in healthy chickens

1. The pharmacokinetics of cefquinome (CEQ) in chickens was determined after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration of 2?mg/kg body weight. Plasma concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography assay with an ultraviolet detector at 265?nm wavelength.

2. Plasma concentration–time data after IV administration were best fitted by a two-compartment model. The pharmacokinetic parameters following IV injection were distribution half-life 0·43?±?0·19?h, elimination half-life 1·29?±?0·10?h, total body clearance 0·35?±?0·04?l/kg/h, area under curve 5·33?±?0·55?µg/h/ml and volume of distribution at steady state 0·49?±?0·05?l/kg.

3. Plasma concentration–time data after IM administration were best described by a two-compartment model. The pharmacokinetic parameters after IM administration were absorption half-life 0·07?±?0·02?h, distribution half-life 0·58?±?0·27?h, elimination half-life 1·35?±?0·20?h, peak concentration 3·04?±?0·71?µg/ml and bioavailability 95·81?±?5·81%.

4. Cefquinome kinetics in chicken and data from other species were summarised and analysed to provide a comprehensive understanding of CEQ pharmacokinetics.     

IN THIS ISSUE – August

Seroconversion to avian influenza virus in chickens in Victoria · Feeding of prohibited swill to pigs in Australia · Long distance dispersal of vectors for bovine ephemeral fever · Risk of poisoning from sorghum infected with ergot · Effects on bovine embryos of oxidative stress in sperm · Muscle strain injuries of the hindlimb in eight horses · T-shaped malformation of the ventral colon in foal · Zolpidem poisoning in a cat · Cutaneous trombidiosis in a Lesueur's tree frog     

THANKS TO REVIEWERS

Maximal movement initiation in Greyhounds · Novel chemotherapy protocol for osteosarcoma · Low‐field MRI for equine foot conditions · Periorbital wooden foreign body · Effect of plastic clips in sheep · Comparison of diagnostic tests for Lawsonia in pigs · Student vs employer expectations     

In this issue – June 2012

Assay to measure success of functional parathyroid excision · Palliative radiation therapy for malignant trichoepithelioma · Idiopathic haemarthrosis in horses · Fatal snail bait poisoning in a horse · Utility of diagnostic tests for Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia in pigs · Iodine deficiency disorders in sheep · Immobilisation of estuarine crocodiles     

In this issue – March 2011

Wound healing after breech flystrike control methods in lambs · Resistance to synthetic pyrethroids in buffalo flies · Auditory function in older horses · Cutaneous asthenia in a foal · Avian trichomoniasis in an Australian avian practice · Infectious laryngotracheitis in poultry in Australia · Hepatotoxicosis in dogs eating contaminated camel meat · Pulmonary aspergillosis in a cat     

SCIENTIFIC AND CLINICAL: In this issue – September 2010

Agricultural shows and communicable disease transmission in poultry · Capsule endoscopy in horse small intestine · Acute lameness from a bone metastasis in a horse · Tidal breathing flow volume loop in dogs with tracheal masses · Intracranial meningioma and facial myokymia in a dog · Caudal epidural flank anaesthesia using multiport catheters in cattle · Needle-free vaccination in sheep · Smoking vets in Australia     

IN THIS ISSUE – July 2010

Presence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in raw milk · Profiling of Haemophilus parasuis in live pigs · Cysticercus bovis in Australian cattle · Thoracoscopy for lung lobectomy in the dog · Common bile duct cyst in a cat · Caecal intussusceptions in horses in New Zealand · Improving access to the oral cavity of the wombat · Mycobacterium in a Tasmanian devil · Surgical treatment of osteomyelitis in an alpaca cria     

In this issue – May 2010

Flea-associated infectious agents in cats in Eastern Australia · Complications of barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres · Reproductive efficiency of Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses · GPS tracking collars to monitor horses · Correction of vesicovaginal reflux in mares · Antibodies to Lawsonia intracellularis in Australian pig herds · Mucormycosis in the platypus · Panniculitis from Mycobacterium mageritense in a Tasmanian devil     

In this issue: September 2011

Racing 2‐year‐old Standardbred horses · Review of viral infections affecting the CNS in ruminants · Subacute rumen acidosis in beef cattle · Intralesional amphotericin B for feline sporotrichosis · Market for companion animal veterinary services in Australia · Blood parameters of lace monitors · Development of quarantine services in Australia     

In this issue – December 2010

Aged horses in Queensland · Pressor therapy in neonatal foals · Fluoroscopic stents for feline urethral obstruction · Intradermal sodium lauryl sulfate as an alternative to mulesing in lambs · Monepantel faecal residues and dung fauna · Surgical spaying in yearling Brahman heifers · Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematodes     

In this issue – March 2010

Topical anaesthesia for castration and tail docking in lambs · Disease surveillance activities for saleyard pigs · Reproductive effects of time on prepartum transition diets in dairy cows · Bovine herpesvirus type 5 in bull semen · Rib osteomyelitis in three foals · Mycobacterium ulcerans in two horses · Nasal vascular hamartoma in a cat