New Zealand veterinary journal最新文献

{"title":"Pets in the workplace: a scoping review.","authors":"D H Gardner","doi":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2387562","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2387562","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There is a large and growing body of literature proposing that there are benefits to employees and workplaces when pets are allowed to accompany their owners to work. This article reports a scoping review of research that is workplace-based and that provides information on the reported benefits or problems of allowing employees' pets at work. The databases Scopus, Discover and Google Scholar were searched with the initial search terms \"<i>pets</i> AND <i>workplace</i> AND <i>research</i>.\" Results were reviewed initially by title to remove items where, for instance, \"PET\" was used as an acronym. Studies were included if they provided information on research into human well-being and/or work or task performance and pets at work. This included research into the presence of pets while working from home, as the home can be considered a workplace in this situation. A total of 189 papers on pets at work were identified from the searches. The abstracts were reviewed and papers that did not report research into the benefits and challenges of employees' pets at work were excluded, leaving 31 results. The majority of studies used survey methods and did not include validated psychometric measures of key variables including stress. Findings indicated that the presence of employees' pets at work may reduce stress and lead to more positive work-related attitudes, but these findings may not apply to all employees or all workplaces. Negative aspects of pets in the workplace include health risks to humans and animals, cultural concerns and dislike or fear of some animals, and the proportion of participants who raised these concerns or agreed with them varied widely between studies. However, there is little evidence on the prevalence of risks or how they are addressed, and there was no data on how work performance, absenteeism or staff turnover were related to pet-friendly policies at work. More research is required, and some directions for future research are suggested.</p>","PeriodicalId":19322,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand veterinary journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ulnocarpal arthrodesis as a new treatment for ectrodactyly in a dog and a cat.","authors":"V I Vallios, K R Crosse, A Bolia","doi":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2389928","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2389928","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Case history: </strong>A 4-month-old male Shih Tzu dog (Case 1) and an 11-month-old female Devon Rex cat (Case 2) were referred to specialist veterinary hospitals for evaluation of right thoracic lameness and growth abnormality in the distal aspect of the forelimb.</p><p><strong>Clinical findings: </strong>Non-weight-bearing lameness and decreased range of motion were noted in the affected limbs of both cases. Case 1 had a plantigrade stance, and a cleft separation between the first and second digits extending upwards to the distal third of the antebrachium. There was no pain on palpation, and the affected limb was shorter than the contralateral. Radiographic examination revealed cleft separation between metacarpal bones I and II, and carpal bone fusion (I, II, III), and the distal radius ended freely and was attached to the first metacarpal bone.Case 2 had a small cleft medial to metacarpal III. The limb was consistently held in abduction and had marked carpal varus. The limb had never been used for weight bearing. Radiographic examination showed agenesis of metacarpal bone II and separation of metacarpals I and III. The radius and ulna were separated and the radial head did not articulate normally at the elbow, leading to marked elbow incongruity.</p><p><strong>Diagnosis: </strong>Ectrodactyly in both cases.</p><p><strong>Treatment and outcome: </strong>Amputation of the radius followed by ulnocarpal arthrodesis were performed in both cases. Follow-up evaluations up to 1 year (Case 1) and 10 weeks (Case 2) after surgery indicated satisfactory arthrodesis fusion, owner satisfaction, and a good clinical outcome.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>Ectrodactyly is a rare congenital deformity of the forelimb with a heterogeneous character, requiring an individualised treatment plan. These are the first cases reported in the literature of ectrodactyly in small animals that were treated successfully with ulnocarpal arthrodesis. This case series therefore provides evidence in support of this treatment option for this heterogeneous congenital deformity.</p>","PeriodicalId":19322,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand veterinary journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Folliculectomy for the treatment of pre-ovulatory follicular stasis in three illegally captured West Coast green geckos (<i>Naultinus tuberculatus</i>) to enable wild rehabilitation.","authors":"B D Gartrell, M Jolly, A Cree, E Short, T Hori","doi":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2381531","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2381531","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Case history: </strong>In 2023, the New Zealand Department of Conservation seized 63 endemic reptiles that were being held without a permit. This group included three adult female West Coast green geckos (<i>Naultinus tuberculatus)</i> that had been illegally removed from the wild 2 years earlier. They had been held in an outdoor enclosure with a pair of goldstripe geckos (<i>Woodworthia chrysosiretica</i>).</p><p><strong>Clinical findings: </strong>On physical examination, all three geckos had at least two soft palpable masses in the coelom. Repeated ultrasonographic examination over several months confirmed the diagnosis of pre-ovulatory follicular stasis (POFS) in each gecko, and in subsequent weeks, more ovarian follicles developed in each animal.</p><p><strong>Laboratory findings: </strong>All three geckos were negative on culture of cloacal swabs for <i>Salmonella</i> spp.<i>,</i> and negative on PCR assay of a cloacal flush for <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp., despite other reptiles in the seized group showing positive results for multiple <i>Salmonella</i> spp., and one other gecko being positive for <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i>, subtype IIcA5G3.</p><p><strong>Treatment and outcome: </strong>For all three geckos, para-midline ventral coeliotomy was performed under general anaesthesia, and folliculectomy of degenerate ovarian follicles was performed. Post-operative complications were seen in all three animals, which developed suture-line infections following disruption of normal skin shedding and entrapment of shed keratin in the surgical sites. A second surgery was undertaken to remove impacted keratin and caseous inflammatory material from the surgical wounds of all three animals and buried sutures were placed to close the coelomic wounds. The geckos were treated with 20 mg/kg ceftazidime IM every second day for 2 weeks post-operatively. Subsequent ecdysis (skin shedding) occurred without complication and the geckos were released back to the wild 10 months after admission.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>The recommended treatment for POFS in reptiles is ovariectomy, which is not appropriate for wild animals. The use of folliculectomy to resolve preovulatory follicular stasis should be considered for animals where retaining reproductive ability is essential.</p>","PeriodicalId":19322,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand veterinary journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141856127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An outbreak of ischaemic teat necrosis in a dairy herd in Taranaki, New Zealand.","authors":"J P O'Connell, K E Lawrence, H Taylor, G Orbell, M E Bestbier, K Crowley, H Hunt","doi":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2392687","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2392687","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Case history: </strong>In spring 2021, on a seasonally calving, pastorally based, Taranaki dairy farm, 12 first-calving heifers (≤ 30 days post-calving) developed similar dry, red to black, crusting lesions on the medial aspect of the teat udder junction extending down the medial teat. Some cows had multiple teats affected. Treatment was initially unrewarding and did not slow the progression of the disease. Overall, 8/12 cows recovered, and 4/12 cows were culled, with three of the cows culled after a teat sloughed and the fourth after surgical amputation of a teat. Outbreaks of the same condition, on the same farm but affecting fewer animals, occurred in spring 2022 (n = 6) and spring 2023 (n = 3).</p><p><strong>Clinical findings: </strong>An initial scab-like or crusting lesion progressed to resemble a thick eschar consisting of very dry and hard dead tissue. The unaffected areas of the teat felt normal but immediately under the dead tissue, there was a warm, firmer area consistent with an inflammatory reaction. Removing the scab led to profuse bleeding, with no visible bed of granulation underneath the scab. There was no leaking of milk in those cows that lost a teat, and no smell to the lesions themselves. Serology and virology ruled out the involvement of bovine alphaherpesvirus (BoHV-2) bovine gammaherpesvirus (BoHV-4), orthopoxviruses (cowpox) and parapoxviruses (pseudocowpox). Histopathology of an affected and surgically amputated teat showed multifocal erosion and ulceration of the epidermis, covered by a thick serocellular crust. In areas of ulceration, there were numerous neutrophils, and the dermis was expanded by granulation tissue with variable numbers of neutrophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes around small blood vessels.</p><p><strong>Diagnosis: </strong>Based on the similarity of the history, presentation, and histopathological changes to those described for a novel disease reported in the UK, a diagnosis of ischaemic teat necrosis (ITN) was made.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>If ITN is an emerging condition in New Zealand and becomes as prevalent as it has in the UK, clinicians will be confronted with a significant new welfare problem in dairy cows. Anecdotally, there have been reports of other ITN outbreaks in New Zealand, and the Ministry for Primary Industries would be interested in collating reports from other New Zealand veterinarians.</p>","PeriodicalId":19322,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand veterinary journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142073420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of bacterial culture results obtained from three different sampling locations in dogs and cats with chronic nasal disease.","authors":"T A Niedenführ, A Weickelt, G Wolf, Y Zablotski, B S Schulz","doi":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2378696","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2378696","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To assess agreement of bacterial culture results from samples taken from nasal discharge, the nasal cavity and nasal biopsy from dogs and cats with nasal disease.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Nineteen dogs and 21 cats with different nasal diseases (chronic rhinitis, n = 30; neoplasia, n = 7; sinonasal aspergillosis, n = 3) were prospectively enrolled in the study. Nasal swabs were taken bilaterally from nasal discharge at the nares, the nasal cavity, and one nasal mucosal biopsy per side. All samples were subjected to aerobic bacterial culture. Kappa statistics were used to evaluate agreement for the most prevalent bacterial species between sampling sites.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A positive culture result for at least one bacterial species was detected in 80% of samples from nasal discharge/nares, 92% of nasal cavity samples, and 75% of biopsy samples. The mean agreement between the three sampling sites for positive <i>vs.</i> negative culture results was never greater than moderate and the precision of the estimates of agreement varied widely.The most frequently isolated bacterial species in dogs were <i>Staphylococcus pseudintermedius</i>, <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp. and <i>Streptococcus</i> spp. In cats, <i>Pasteurella</i> spp. and <i>Staphylococcus felis</i> were the bacterial species cultured most frequently.For the most prevalent cultured species, <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., mean agreement between sites was never greater than fair and the precision again varied widely.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study indicates that bacterial culture results in feline and canine nasal disease are site-specific and there was no evidence from this study for consistency between sites within a patient for many bacterial species. Consequently, if bacterial culture results from nasal swabs are used to guide therapeutic antimicrobial choice, different treatments may be selected depending on the site of culture. As a consequence, there is no evidence from this study that nasal bacterial cultures should be recommended as a routine diagnostic measure.</p>","PeriodicalId":19322,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand veterinary journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141856126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A pilot study to detect the effects of a green-lipped mussel (<i>Perna canaliculus</i>) nutraceutical on working farm dogs with musculoskeletal abnormalities using accelerometry.","authors":"N Cave, S Bolton, N Cogger","doi":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2379966","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2379966","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To obtain preliminary data on changes in gait from the use of a green-lipped mussel (<i>Perna canaliculus</i>) extract product in working farm dogs with musculoskeletal abnormalities using accelerometry.<b>Methods:</b> New Zealand working farm dogs (n = 32) with signs of musculoskeletal abnormalities were enrolled in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over study. Each dog was allocated to one of six groups to receive three trial substances (180 mg full fat green-lipped mussel extract (GLME₁₈₀); 220 mg full fat green-lipped mussel extract (GLME₂₂₀); placebo) in one of the six possible different orders. Each trial substance was administered orally once a day for an 8-week period, with a 4-week washout in between each. Dogs wore a collar-mounted triaxial accelerometer for the study duration. Diet and activity were not controlled. Accelerations were recorded continuously and analysed (n = 27) in 10-second activity epochs partitioned into daytime and night-time periods. Analysis of activity during the daytime period was limited to epochs when dogs were gaiting faster than a walk. The median and IQR of activity were determined for the daytime and night-time. Additionally, the 75th and 90th percentiles of daytime activity for each 24-hour period were determined. Mixed effects linear regression models were constructed to determine if each trial substance altered the response variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>During the daytime, the 90th percentile was higher when dogs were given GLME₂₂₀ compared with the placebo (β coefficient 2.6; 95% CI = 0.25-4.94; p = 0.03). Dogs that started the trial with the GLME products had a higher 90th percentile activity compared with dogs that began with the placebo (β coefficient 26.26; 95% CI = 0.45-52.06; p = 0.046). The 75th percentile for activity was not affected by the GLME product. The daytime IQR was larger when dogs were given the GLME₁₈₀ product compared with the placebo (β coefficient 1.25; 95% CI = 0.12-2.37; p = 0.03). Night-time median activity and the IQR was greater in dogs that started the trial with the GLME products than in dogs that began with the placebo. The night-time IQR for activity was greater for GLME₁₈₀ than for the placebo.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Administration of a low dose of the GLME-containing product increased peak activity in working farm dogs with signs of musculoskeletal abnormalities and may improve their performance.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>Even mildly affected working farm dogs might benefit from support of their musculoskeletal abnormalities, and this particular GLME-based product shows promise as an adjunct to other management strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19322,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand veterinary journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141902507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of a pre-calving injectable trace mineral supplement on white blood cell function in seasonally calving pastoral dairy cows.","authors":"A J Bates, M Wells, C Fitzpatrick, R A Laven","doi":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2417925","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2024.2417925","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To investigate the effect of injection of trace mineral supplement (TMS) 14-28 days before calving on white blood cell count (WBCC) and function, serum antioxidant capacity (SAC) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pasture-fed cattle after calving.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>On each of two South Island, seasonally calving, pastoral dairy farms,1 month before dry-off, a random sample of 150 multiparous cows predicted to calve within 7 days of the herd's planned start of calving (PSC) were stratified on individual somatic cell count, age, breed and expected calving date. On each farm, 14-24 days before PSC, 60 selected cows were randomly assigned for TMS (Zn, Mn, Se, Cu) injection, and 60 were controls. All 240 cows were contemporaneously injected with hydroxocobalamin, and controls with Se. Blood samples were collected pre-injection and 3, 12 and 40 days after calving. Phagocytic activity, count and proportion of neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes, WBCC, ROS, SAC were measured. Plasma concentrations of Se, Cu and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were monitored from a random subset of animals. Differences attributable to TMS were estimated using mixed-multivariable Bayesian analysis, expressed as mean and highest density interval (HDI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three and 40 days after calving, TMS-treated cows had 0.36 (90% HDI = 0.00-0.77) x 10⁹ and 0.25 (90% HDI = 0.00-0.55) x 10⁹ fewer neutrophils/L. Neutrophils comprised 6 (90% HDI = 0-11)% and 4 (90% HDI = 0-8)% less of the WBCC, and the neutrophil count was 14 (90% HDI = 0-27)% and 9 (90% HDI = 0-18)% less than controls. However, 3 days after calving, there were 7 (95% HDI = 2-12)% more cells phagocytosing and 2,900 (95% HDI = 2,600-3,200) more bacteria ingested/cell. Twelve and 40 days after calving, TMS-treated cows had 0.65 (95% HDI = 0.17-1.17) x 10⁹ and 0.28 (95% HDI = 0.00-0.59) x 10⁹ more lymphocytes/L. Lymphocytes comprised 10 (95% HDI = 3-18)% and 5 (95% HDI = 0-9)% more of the WBCC, and the lymphocyte count was 30 (95% HDI = 11-51)% and 9 (95% HDI = 0-9)% more than controls. There were no meaningful differences in ROS, SAC, ROS/SAC, other white blood cells, or WBCC. Plasma Cu, Se and GPx concentrations were above recommended thresholds.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Pre-calving TMS injection was associated with differences in white blood cell population and function that may reduce the risk of disease.</p><p><strong>Abbreviations: </strong>BHOB: Beta-hydroxybutyrate; GPx: Glutathione peroxidase; HDI: Highest density interval; MESF: Molecules of equivalent soluble fluorophore; OSi: Oxidative stress index; PSC: Planned start of calving; ROPE: Region of probable equivalence; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; SAC: Serum antioxidant capacity; THI: Temperature humidity index; TMS: Trace mineral supplement; WAIC: Widely applicable information criterion; WBCC: White blood cell count.</p>","PeriodicalId":19322,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand veterinary journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142546573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative evaluation of PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for detecting <i>Pasteurella multocida</i> in poultry.","authors":"M Poussard, S D Pant, J Huang, P Scott, S A Ghorashi","doi":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2417921","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2024.2417921","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To develop a colourimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of <i>Pasteurella multocida</i> in clinical poultry samples and compare the performance of this assay with PCR. A secondary aim was to evaluate a simple DNA extraction method that could enable LAMP-based testing in the field without the need for specialised laboratory equipment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Primer sets for both LAMP and PCR were designed to amplify the <i>KMT1</i> gene of <i>P. multocida.</i> DNA was extracted from 12 <i>P. multocida</i> isolates using a commercial extraction kit, and subjected to analysis using both LAMP and PCR. The analytical specificity of the LAMP assay was evaluated by testing it against a panel of 12 unrelated bacterial species, and the analytical sensitivity (limit of detection) was determined through testing of serial dilutions of the target DNA and compared to that of PCR. Subsequently, cloacal swabs (n = 40) from a commercial turkey flock were subjected to analysis using both LAMP and PCR assays, using a rapid DNA extraction method and a commercial extraction kit. Clinical sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP assay were calculated in comparison to PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A single DNA fragment of the expected size (∼ 200 base pairs), was amplified by PCR from 12 <i>P. multocida</i> isolates, which were also all positive by the LAMP assay. The identity of all PCR amplicons was confirmed by sequencing. Both PCR and LAMP showed similar analytical sensitivity, with a LOD of 20 pg of target DNA. As neither PCR nor LAMP assays produced positive results with 12 non-related bacterial species, the analytical specificity was assessed as 100%. However, LAMP demonstrated lower clinical specificity (94.74%) compared to PCR (100%) when 40 clinical samples were tested. None of the DNA samples extracted using the simplified DNA extraction method were amplified by either LAMP or PCR.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The LAMP assay developed in this study exhibits comparable performance to PCR in detecting <i>P. multocida</i>.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>The use of a rapid and portable DNA extraction method, in conjunction with LAMP assays, could create opportunities for point-of-care testing for fowl cholera in field settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":19322,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand veterinary journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142504957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Where do all the ewes go? Ewe culling and mortality in 34 sheep flocks in New Zealand.","authors":"A L Ridler, R A Corner-Thomas, S Mote, S Morgan, P R Kenyon, K J Flay","doi":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2409216","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2024.2409216","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To describe rates of and reasons for culling and mortality of ewes between breeding and mid-lactation on New Zealand sheep farms; to investigate associations of these variables with farm demographic variables; and to describe rates of and reasons for culling of ewes at weaning.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were a convenience sample of 34 farms from across New Zealand. Demographic data were initially collected for each farm via a questionnaire administered in-person to the flock owner or manager. During approximately 8 months from breeding to mid-lactation, ewe tally, culling and mortality data were collected and used to calculate various parameters related to flock performance and to investigate associations. During the main ewe-culling event at weaning, ewe-culling data were collected from 29/34 flocks participating in the study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was considerable variation between flocks, but the between-flock mean replacement percentage was 29.2 (SD 5.0)%. Overall, a between-flock mean of 10.5 (SD 4.6)% of ewes presented for breeding were culled or dead/missing by mid-lactation and thus did not rear any lambs. Additionally, from 27 flocks that reported data on ewes' success at rearing lambs, a between-flock mean of 3.9 (SD 2.5)% of ewes that remained alive at mid-lactation failed to rear any lambs, resulting in an overall between-flock mean loss of 23.1 (SD 6.3) potential lambs per 100 ewes. Two-thirds of ewe mortalities between breeding and mid-lactation occurred during the lambing period. Model results showed flocks with higher pregnancy scanning percentages had lower rates of culling and mortality between breeding and mid-lactation. However, apart from farm contour, from breeding to mid-lactation there were no associations for culling and mortality with farm size, flock size, number of ewes per labour unit, whether ewe hoggets (7-9 months of age) were presented for breeding, or duration of the breeding period. A between-flock mean of 16.5 (SD 8.3)% of ewes present at weaning were culled, and among mixed-age ewes, the most common reasons for culling at this time were age, incisor teeth defects and udder defects.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>To reduce unnecessary ewe culling and mortality, attention should be focused on maximising conception rates, ensuring judicious culling decisions, optimising body condition score, and identifying farm-specific causes of death over the lambing period to facilitate targeted intervention strategies.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>Identifying why and when ewes exit flocks, and comparing it with the data presented here, will facilitate the development of flock-specific interventions to reduce ewe culling and mortality.</p><p><p> .</p><p><strong>Abbreviations: </strong>BCS: Body condition score; NI: North Island; SI: South Island.</p>","PeriodicalId":19322,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand veterinary journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142471092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Liver copper concentration dynamics with different methods of injectable copper supplementation in dairy cows in New Zealand.","authors":"J Spearpoint, G Chambers, E L Cuttance","doi":"10.1080/00480169.2024.2406907","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2024.2406907","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To compare the responses of liver Cu concentrations in dairy cows between three forms of injectable Cu supplementation and a negative control group.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Across two dairy farms in North Canterbury, New Zealand, 80 mid-lactation dairy cows (n = 28 and 52 per farm) were randomly allocated to four treatment groups: (a) 100-mg or (b) 200-mg dose of Cu administered as Ca Cu EDTA; (c) 75-mg dose of Cu as disodium Cu EDTA combined with Se, Zn, and Mn; or (d) no treatment (negative control). Each treatment group contained 20 cows. Groups were balanced for age, plasma Cu and pre-treatment liver Cu concentration. Blood samples and liver biopsies were collected prior to treatment. Six liver biopsies were performed on the same cow over a period of 70 days and the concentration of liver Cu was measured over time and compared to pre-treatment baseline. A mixed, multivariable, linear regression model was constructed to determine the effect of treatment on the change in liver Cu concentration compared to pre-treatment concentrations, accounting for repeated measurements taken from each cow.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was a difference in the distribution of pre-treatment liver Cu concentration between farms (p = 0.008), with medians of 1,400 (IQR 1,200-1,625) and 1,050 (IQR 805-1,425) µmol/kg on Farms 1 and 2, respectively. There was an interaction between treatment group, study day, and farm, with a treatment effect confirmed only on Farm 2. In the final model, the predicted change in liver Cu concentration (compared to pre-treatment concentrations) among cows on Farm 2 that were treated with 200 mg of Ca Cu EDTA was significantly higher than that of control cows on Days 3, 14, 28 and 42, peaking on Day 14 with a difference of 325.35 (95% CI = 97.00-554.03) µmol/kg. The study found no associations between changes in liver Cu concentration and age or prior plasma Cu concentration. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.57 (95% CI = 0.45-0.66), indicating the proportion of variability in changes in liver Cu concentration attributable to inter-cow variation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions and clinical relevance: </strong>This study shows there are differences in response to injectable Cu supplementation at the farm level and wide variation in liver Cu among cows from the same farm. On one farm, a 200-mg dosage of Ca Cu EDTA significantly increased liver Cu concentration for at least 42 days.</p>","PeriodicalId":19322,"journal":{"name":"New Zealand veterinary journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142400864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}