The Vet Chat NZ

Notes From the World Buiatrics Congress 2024 | Dr. Greg Chambers

Matt and Greg have both been back at the World Buiatrics Congress, this time in Cancun, Mexico.  There are more interesting and sometimes quirky studies to share, and even a few unique Mexican experiences! Find out what a vampiricide is, how best to detect Johne's in a barn system or how much copper injections elevate liver levels, among other things.

ACVM Registration Nos. A010028 and A009374.

Dog Desexing - One Size Doesn’t Fit All | Dr Jennifer Dauth

Dr Jennifer Dauth joins Sumari to chat about her fascination with reproduction, the driving force for her to become a member at ANZCVS (Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists). Desexing in dogs is not a one size fits all conversation. New research, more informed owners, the changing status of the dog in the household and alternative medical options all contribute to vets having to reconsider their protocols. Jennifer talks about the pros and cons of desexing, the various medical and surgical options available, as well as striking a balance with what is  best for the individual dog, while addressing the owners’ needs.

• Urfer SR, Kaeberlein M. Desexing Dogs: A Review of the Current Literature. Animals (Basel). 2019 Dec 5;9(12):1086. doi: 10.3390/ani9121086. PMID: 31817504; PMCID: PMC6940997.
• Howe, Lisa. (2015). Current perspectives on the optimal age to spay/castrate dogs and cats. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports. 2015. 171. 10.2147/VMRR.S53264.
• Beauvais W, Cardwell JM, Brodbelt DC. The effect of neutering on the risk of mammary tumours in dogs – a systematic review. J Small Anim Pract. 2012;53:314–322.
• Holt PE. Urinary incontinence in the bitch due to sphincter mechanism incompetence: prevalence in referred dogs and retrospective analysis of sixty cases. J Small Anim Pract. 1985;26(4):181–190.
• Torres de la Riva G, Hart BL, Farver TB, et al. Neutering dogs: effects on joint disorders and cancers in golden retrievers. PLoS One. 2013;8:e55937.
• Client handout: https://www.vss.net.au/desexing-your-dog.html
• Hart BL, Hart LA, Thigpen AP, Willits NH. Assisting Decision-Making on Age of Neutering for 35 Breeds of Dogs: Associated Joint Disorders, Cancers, and Urinary Incontinence. Front Vet Sci. 2020 Jul 7;7:388. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00388. PMID: 32733924; PMCID: PMC7359819.

Dislocated Hips in Cattle | Matt Wells

Host turns guest as Matt Wells, Technical Services Manager at Virbac NZ, joins the Vet Chat this week and shares his wisdom on the diagnosis and closed reduction of dislocated hips in cattle. During his 13 years in clinical practice, he was able to develop his skills in this area and has presented at the NZVA conference, and still regularly talks on dislocated hips to recent graduates at the Supergrad Day. Matt shares tips and tricks that have helped him in the past, as well as resources he has created that have helped others be successful in their attempts.

• Closed reduction of dislocated hips: Getting the clunk
• Dislocated hips: Open reduction
• Dislocated Hips - Diagnosis & Reduction

Staying One Step Ahead of Lameness | Winston Mason

Winston is a veterinary epidemiologist who has recently set up EpiVets Ltd in collaboration with colleagues Emma Cuttance and Greg Chambers. Winston joins Ellen to discuss lameness in dairy cows in New Zealand, and offers practical advice which stems from the extensive research he has done whilst completing his PhD. The episode includes lots of tips to help clinicians promote early identification on farms, streamline treatment and management of lame cows, and also reiterates that we are doing well in NZ in terms of prevalence and recovery rates.

Equine Emergencies for the General Practitioner | Laurinda Oliver

Laurinda Oliver is a specialist equine surgeon and intern coordinator at Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre.  She and Matt discuss how a non-equine vet can improve the care of horses and reduce their stress levels by having clear plans for treatment, referral and even euthanasia. They focus on colic and wounds, but also cover foalings, eye conditions, acute lameness and sick foals.  

• Equine Emergencies Textbook
• Haygard Mobile Formulary
• Liphook Equine Hospital Lab
• BEVA Apps

Rabbit Care & Therapeutics - Advice & Tips | Martin Earles

Martin Earles shares great recommendations for handling, examining, and treating rabbits. From the ideal combination of male and female rabbits in a household to performing an oral examination, antibiotics that are safe, best desexing practices, and general husbandry tips to boost the confidence of vets when they encounter rabbits in-clinic.

How to Get Colostrum Right | Katie Denholm

Katie Denholm's research on colostrum and calf health during her time in NZ will be familiar to many vets. She is now completing her PhD while teaching at Glasgow University, and joins Matt to discuss what we now know about the full effects of getting colostrum wrong, and what to focus on to improve calf health. They cover the best practice of ideal timing and volumes, storage, and assessing passive transfer, and include the latest research and updates.

Searching For Diseases We Don’t Want To Find | Mark Eames

Exotic animal diseases are a threat to New Zealand’s farms and economy. While FMD is the most obvious concern, there are others on the radar for Biosecurity New Zealand. Mark Eames is a Biosecurity New Zealand Incursion Investigator. He joins Matt to discuss what vets should be looking out for, how we can monitor animals for these diseases, and what the process looks like for a practitioner if they report something unusual. 

NZ Wildlife - Practical Tips for the General Vet | Jordana Whyte

In this episode of The Vet Chat, Sumari Potgieter talks to Jordana Whyte, manager of the trust that runs the Wildlife Hospital Dunedin. They discuss the responsibilities of the veterinarian, the public, and the Department of Conservation (DOC), and how various roles work together to ensure the best outcome for the patient. Helpful resources for vets for bird and bat care are provided by the New Zealand Vet Association and are referenced in this talk. Vets can access the full documents on the NZVA website. For anyone interested in further reading, training and support, this list of references will be useful:

1. Available to all NZVA members, the Avian and Wildlife health guidelines, policy, and resources can be found here. This includes bat care advice for first responders and vets, as well as advice for managing emaciated seabirds.
2. Contact DOC (0800 DOC HOT) or rehabilitation facilities identified through the Wildlife Rehabilitation Network — WReNNZ — to arrange for transfer to longer-term care as soon as the patient is stabilised, or to seek additional advice/guidance.
3. Find out which NZ birds are threatened, listen to bird song, and learn about birds on the DOC website.  
4. A digital encyclopaedia of NZ birds can be found here.
5. Call the Department of Conservation emergency hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) immediately if you see anyone catching, harming, or killing native wildlife.
6. DOC resources on bats.
7. Information on lead poisoning, psittacine beak and feather disease, and avian influenza.
8. The Wildlife Hospital Dunedin can be contacted through Jordana Whyte at 021735211 or info@wildlifehospitaldunedin.org.nz

Dry Cow Therapy - the Present and the Future | Dr. Scott McDougall

We've made significant progress at reducing antibiotic DCT in New Zealand dairy herds, albeit slower than was initially hoped. Scott McDougall and Matt discuss the current situation in 2023 and the likely future of antimicrobial use. They cover adverse events and how we've learned to minimise these, how much AMR we already have, how well-managed selective DCT compares with blanket DCT, and the updated best practice recommendations for cow selection and teat sealant administration in NZ conditions.  

Links for further reading below.

• Vet Council Statement on Authorisation of DCT
• NZVA drying off resources
• SmartSamm Technote 14