Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle worldwide, causing significant economic losses. Despite Victoria's critical role in Australian dairy production, little is known about the local epidemiology of N. caninum and the effectiveness of control measures. This study aimed to evaluate infection dynamics and management strategies in Victorian dairy farms. Field data were collected from five dairy farms in Gippsland, including 1029 cow and calf samples. Vertical, horizontal and colostral transmission were assessed through longitudinal monitoring. Diagnostic performance of PCR and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was compared. Deterministic and stochastic epidemiological models were developed and calibrated using local data to simulate infection dynamics and the impact of management strategies, including ‘Test and Cull’ and testing of replacement animals under varying biosecurity conditions. Prevalence of N. caninum was 36.7% in cows, 25.7% in calves and 32.3% overall. Vertical transmission occurred in 43% of calves from infected cows, while horizontal and colostral transmission contributed to 16% of infections in calves from uninfected cows. Longitudinal monitoring revealed 8.3% of previously negative dams seroconverted during gestation. PCR and ELISA showed poor concordance, highlighting their complementary role in surveillance. Model projections indicated rising prevalence under baseline conditions, particularly in closed herds. The ‘Test and Cull’ strategy consistently reduced prevalence, achieving <15% herd prevalence within 10 years, with further reductions under enhanced biosecurity. Testing replacement animals was effective only in herds sourcing their stock externally.
Background The equine veterinary profession is experiencing a global recruitment and retention crisis with fewer graduates entering equine practice. We aimed to investigate perceived and actual barriers to Australian veterinary students' considering an equine veterinary career. Methods A mixed methods design was used. The study population consisted of veterinary students from seven universities in Australia. An online survey was distributed that comprised demographic, Likert‐scale and open‐ended questions and covered themes of equine experience, perceptions of clients, salary, Higher Education Contribution Scheme debt, and perceptions of workplace culture. Descriptive data analysis was performed. Subsequently, students were invited to participate in Zoom interviews to discuss their experiences. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed in NVivo. Results There were 306 online survey responses, of which 239 were complete. Eight Zoom interviews were conducted. Key concerns about equine practice were difficult clients (81%), workplace culture (60%), work–life balance (53%) and long working hours (14%). The perception that one must be ‘horsey’ to become an equine veterinarian was a dominant theme. Limited early exposure to horses and restricted hands‐on opportunities during extramural studies were significant barriers. Recommendations from students included improving clinic culture, supporting ‘non‐horsey’ students, promoting positive equine placements, and providing realistic career pathways. Conclusions Addressing cultural attitudes, enhancing student equine exposure and improving work–life balance are critical to attracting and retaining graduates in equine practice. Collaborative action between universities, clinics and industry bodies is essential for a sustainable equine veterinary workforce.
Canine desexing is one of the most common small animal surgical procedures in Australia, yet little is known about current practices. This study characterised attitudes, practitioner recommendations and surgical practices for routine canine desexing among Australian veterinarians using an online cross‐sectional survey ( n = 107). Respondent demographics were broadly comparable to the 2023/2024 Australian Veterinary Workforce Survey, suggesting appropriate representation. Most veterinarians (93.6%) recommended routine desexing, with orchiectomy and ovariohysterectomy being the predominant surgical approaches. Alternative approaches were occasionally recommended but rarely performed. The main reasons reported for recommending desexing dogs of both sexes were prevention of unwanted mating, perceived health benefits, population control and, for males, preventing undesirable behaviour. Recommended timing was influenced by age, expected adult size, breed and owner preference. Recommended age of desexing did not differ by sex, but larger expected adult size was associated with a later recommended age ( p < 0.001). In female dogs, 59.3% respondents reported advising desexing after one or more seasons, with a mean minimum post‐oestrus interval of 1.8 ± 0.9 months and 17.6% of respondents reported advising desexing less than 4 months of age. Drug choices did not differ between male and female desexing operations for premedication ( p = 0.66), induction ( p = 1.00) and postoperative analgesia ( p = 0.51). Medetomidine, alfaxalone, acepromazine and methadone were commonly used for premedication; alfaxalone and propofol for induction; and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatories postoperatively. Local anaesthetic blocks were infrequently used. Our findings provide an overview of desexing practices, highlight key areas for future research and inform future veterinary training.
Introduction Cardiac disease is common in companion birds, yet its diagnosis remains a challenge due to limited validated tests. Radiography is frequently used to assess cardiac size in birds; however, interspecies variation necessitates species‐specific reference intervals. This study aimed to establish the cardiac silhouette in companion galahs ( Eolophus roseicapilla) and sulphur‐crested cockatoos ( Cacatua galerita) . Methods Ventrodorsal (VD) and laterolateral (LL) radiographs of 30 adult galahs and 21 adult cockatoos were obtained from medical records that were admitted to the University of Queensland Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 2013 to 2023. In the VD view, cardiac width (CW) was measured with other anatomical landmarks including thoracic width (TW), clavicular distance (ClD), coracoid width (CoW) and 3rd–4th rib distance (RD). In the LL view, the cardiac length (CL) was measured and correlated to sternal length (SL). Results Significant positive correlations were found between CW and weight (, p < 0.001); CW and TW (, p < 0.001), in galahs. In cockatoos, significant positive correlations were found between CW and CoW (, p = 0.011); CW and ClD (, p < 0.021). The 25th–75th percentile range (PR) for CW:TW ranged from 52 to 62.5% and 60–65% in cockatoos and galahs, respectively. Conclusion In galahs, CW correlated positively with the TW, and the 25th–75th PR for CW:TW should be 60%–65%. In cockatoos, the CW is better correlated to the CoW and ClD with the 25th–75th PRI of 549.5%–609.5% and 91.5%–103.0% respectively. The cardiac silhouette was larger in galahs than in cockatoos.
Embryo transfer (ET) in dairy cattle has long been used for the dissemination of elite genetics. However, achieving consistently high pregnancy rates remains a major challenge, particularly in high‐producing lactating dairy cows receiving in‐vitro produced (IVP) embryos. We hypothesised that recipient selection and ET program timing could be optimised using individual items of recipient and meteorological data that are routinely available on dairy farms. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted an observational study that explored associations between recipient characteristics, health events, sensor‐derived activity alerts, meteorological variables and their ability to predict successful pregnancy following ET (P/ET) in an on‐farm IVP embryo program. Cow health data and ear tag health sensor alerts from a commercial dairy herd in southern Australia were used to compile a retrospective dataset of 5770 embryo transfers (ETs) in 4681 recipients. Meteorological records from two nearby weather stations were used to calculate temperature humidity index (THI). Univariable generalised linear models were used to test associations between predictors and P/ET. Outputs from models included risk differences (RD), P‐values, 95% confidence intervals and area under the curve (AUC). Population RD were calculated using tabular methods. Recipient parity, days in milk (DIM), calving interval, metritis events and ‘very sick’ ear‐tag sensor alerts were associated with P/ET, as were temperature and THI variables. Area under the curve values were close to 0.50 (range 0.50–0.55) and population RD values from many exposure variables were close to 0, indicating that optimising the ET program using individual variables as done in this study, under the conditions in this herd may have limited impact on the overall P/ET. Therefore, further research is needed to evaluate other methodologies to predict P/ET. Furthermore, future studies should incorporate non‐recipient factors, such as embryo quality. It is unclear if the associations observed in this study are due to causal relationships; therefore, we recommend that observational and intervention studies be conducted to verify this.
