Australian veterinary journal.
Publisher:
Australian Veterinary Association. Oxford : Wiley-Blackwell Pub.
Frequency: Monthly
Country: England
Language: English
Author(s):
Australian Veterinary Association.
Start Year:1927 -
ISSN:
0005-0423 (Print)
1751-0813 (Electronic)
0005-0423 (Linking)
1751-0813 (Electronic)
0005-0423 (Linking)
Impact Factor
1.1
2022
| NLM ID: | 0370616 |
| (OCoLC): | 05070935 |
| (DNLM): | A76040000(s) |
| Coden: | AUVJA2 |
| LCCN: | sc 86001010 |
| Classification: | W1 AU698 |
Nigropallidal encephalomalacia in horses grazing Rhaponticum repens (creeping knapweed). Nigropallidal encephalomalacia was diagnosed in two horses in northern Victoria that had a history of long-term pasture access to a dense growth of Rhaponticum repens. The region in which the affected horses lived had received well above average rainfall for several months preceding the poisoning. Affected horses had sudden onset of subcutaneous oedema of the head, impaired prehension and mastication, dullness, lethargy and repeated chewing-like jaw movements. Diagnosis was confirmed at necropsy, with characteristic malacic lesions in the substantia nigra and globus pallidus of the brain. This...
Comparison of two approaches to performing an inferior alveolar nerve block in the horse. To compare two approaches to performing the inferior alveolar nerve block in the horse and to evaluate the consistency of described topographical landmarks. Methods: Experimental cadaver model. Methods: Eleven cadaver heads were positioned to mimic a standing sedated horse and the position of the mandibular foramen approximated. The vertical approach to the approximate location of the mandibular foramen was undertaken and red dye was deposited. The angled approach was then undertaken and blue ink was used to identify it. The heads were then dissected to determine the location of the dye. Place...
Identification of a periorbital wooden foreign body as the cause of chronic ocular discharge in a horse. The clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic features of a horse with a wooden foreign body embedded in the deep portion of the right masseter muscle adjacent to the right orbit are presented. The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging findings and treatment of a penetrating wooden foreign body in a horse that had no history of trauma or evidence of a puncture wound. This report documents the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging to detect a wooden foreign body embedded in the soft tissues of a horse with a chronic copious ocular discharge. T...
Standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging in horses with chronic foot pain. Conventional imaging modalities can diagnose the source of foot pain in most cases, but have limitations in some horses, which can be overcome by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, there are no reports of the MRI appearance and prevalence of foot lesions of a large series of horses with chronic foot lameness. Methods: In the present study, 79 horses with unilateral or bilateral forelimb lameness because of chronic foot pain underwent standing low-field MRI to make a definitive diagnosis. Results: Of the 79 horses, 74 (94%) had alterations in >1 structure in the lame or lamest foo...
Transection of the lateral and long digital extensor tendons in racehorses. To report on the outcome of wounds to the hindlimb of racehorses, and horses with the intended use of racing, where both the long digital extensor (LoDE) and lateral digital extensor (LaDE) tendons had been completely transected. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Records of all horses admitted with hindlimb lacerations between 2002 and 2009 were examined for cases where both the LoDE and LaDE tendons in the hindlimb had been severed, and specifically in horses intended to be used for racing. Outcome was assessed via retrieval of race records and via telephone questioning of the owne...
Thromboelastography in healthy, sick non-septic and septic neonatal foals. To evaluate citrated recalcified thromboelastography (TEG) in healthy newborn foals, and to determine intra-assay, inter-individual and intra-individual (at 12 h, 24 h and 7 days after birth) variations. Additionally, to compare TEG variables, haematological values and conventional coagulation profiles from healthy, sick non-septic, and septic foals. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: The study group comprised 18 healthy, 15 sick non-septic and 17 septic foals. Two citrated (3.2%; 1 : 9 anticoagulant : blood ratio) blood samples were submitted for haemostatic evaluation using a TEG analyser ...
Generalised tetanus in a 2-week-old foal: use of physiotherapy to aid recovery. A 2-week-old Estonian Draft foal presented with signs of severe generalised tetanus, recumbency and inability to drink. The suspected source of infection was the umbilicus. Medical treatment was administered, including tetanus antitoxin, antimicrobial therapy and phenobarbital to control tetanic spasms. In addition, an intensive physiotherapy program was carried out during the recovery period. Techniques designed for syndromes involving upper motor neuron spasticity in humans were applied. Exercises aimed at weight-bearing and mobility were executed with the help of a walking-frame. The foal m...
Association between the purchase price of Thoroughbred yearlings and their performance during the 2- and 3-year-old racing seasons. OBJECTIVES Describe the association between the purchase price of Thoroughbred yearlings sold in Australia and racing performance as 2- and 3-year-olds. METHODS Race performance data of 2773 Thoroughbred yearlings sold at auction during 2003 were collected. Associations between purchase price and the probability of starting, the number of race starts and the prize money earned were examined. RESULTS In total, 2206 (79.6%) horses started a race. The mean number of race starts was six and the mean prize money earned was A$24,420. A total of 1711 (61.5%) horses earned prize money, 402 (14.4%) ear...
Age at first start and racing career of a cohort of Australian Standardbred horses. OBJECTIVE Compare the career profiles of a cohort of Standardbred horses that first raced as 2-year-olds with those that started their racing careers at a later age. METHOD Retrospective analysis of the racing records of all foals born in New South Wales in the 2000 foaling season. RESULTS The career records of 999 horses were analysed. Almost half (43.9%) first raced as 2-year-olds and one-third (33.9%) as 3-year-olds. The median career duration for horses that first raced as 2-year-olds was 2.93 years (interquartile range (IQR) 2.70-3.16), which was significantly greater than the median for ...
The first five days: field and laboratory investigations during the early stages of the equine influenza outbreak in Australia, 2007. Until August 2007, Australia was one of only three countries internationally recognised to be free of equine influenza (EI). This report documents the diagnosis of the first cases of EI in Australian horses and summarises the investigations that took place over the next 5 days. During that time, a multifocal outbreak was identified across eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland. The use of an influenza type A pan-reactive real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction allowed rapid confirmation of suspect cases of EI.
Hygiene practices to prevent the spread of equine influenza by humans. This paper describes a protocol for hygiene practices that was devised by a practice in which all veterinarians were involved on a daily basis in visiting infected premises, including sampling, treatment of clinical cases and general veterinary work. This protocol was strictly followed when attending an infected or at risk property.
Behaviour of equine influenza virus in a naïve population: a practitioner’s perspective. We describe the behaviour of equine influenza (EI) virus infection in a naïve population as observed by equine veterinary practitioners. The clinical signs displayed by infected horses and the highly contagious nature of the disease are discussed, as well as the treatment and management of infected horses.
Equine influenza in Australia: a clinical overview. The clinical symptoms observed during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak are compared and contrasted with those observed in overseas outbreaks and described in the veterinary literature.
Evaluation of the response to an accelerated immunisation schedule using a canarypox-vectored equine influenza vaccine, shortened interdose intervals and vaccination of young foals. The results of an accelerated immunisation schedule for horses used as part of the emergency response plan to contain and eradicate equine influenza in Australia in 2007 is described. The horses studied were vaccinated with a recombinant canarypox-vectored vaccine (ProteqFlu®, Merial) with a shorter interdose interval. Vaccinated horses included foals aged less than 4 months.
Spatial association and clinical development of equine influenza in horses yarded overnight at an equestrian event at Maitland prior to propagating the 2007 epidemic in Australia. The interaction and stabling of horses at equine events may have a substantial impact on the spread of a zoonotic disease. This study aimed to investigate the spread of equine influenza (EI) at an equestrian event at the start of the Australian outbreak. Around one-third of the competing horses were stabled overnight at the event and, of these, 70% developed symptoms of EI within 7 days. The index case was never positively identified, but stabling position and disease onset provided clues to its potential identity.
Effects of barefoot trimming on hoof morphology. To monitor changes in hoof morphology in response to barefoot trimming. Methods: Seven horses were trimmed every 6 weeks according to barefoot trimming principles, which involved levelling the hoof to live sole, lowering the heels, bevelling the toe and rounding the peripheral wall, while leaving the sole, frog and bars intact. A 4-month period was allowed to lower the heels sufficiently to achieve a hoof shape representative of the barefoot trim. This was regarded as the starting point for morphological adaptations in response to maintenance of the trim. Hoof morphology was measured from late...
Quantitative analysis of the risk of spread of equine influenza associated with movements of vaccinated horses from infected areas during the Australian outbreak. Simulation models were developed to quantify the likelihood of equine influenza virus infection entering pre-movement isolation, persisting through pre- and post-movement isolation periods without being detected by scheduled laboratory testing, and escaping to infect susceptible horses at a destination. The mean probability of escape ranged from 1 in 1,200,000 to 1 in 600,000 depending on lot size. For 95% of iterations the probability of escape was less than 1 in 200,000, regardless of lot size. For a large group of 600 horses processed as multiple separate lots, the mean probability of escap...
Assessment of the proportion of under-reporting during the 2007 equine influenza outbreak in New South Wales, Australia. During the 2007 equine influenza (EI) outbreak in Australia, there was no objective information about the possible under-reporting of cases by horse owners either so that they would avoid movement restrictions or because of their inability to detect infection. This investigation aimed to estimate the proportion of under-reporting during the outbreak based on the results of surveillance undertaken in conjunction with vaccination. The results provided improved estimates of morbidity during the outbreak and indicated the level of under-reporting likely to occur in future outbreaks of other infect...
Clinical signs of equine influenza in a closed population of horses at a 3-day event in southern Queensland, Australia. This report describes the clinical signs of equine influenza (EI) during an epidemic in a closed, predominantly immunologically naïve population of horses. It included 254 study horses, few of which exhibited all three signs of pyrexia, nasal discharge and cough simultaneously. We conclude that although the majority of affected horses exhibit temperature patterns resembling those most often described in the published literature, clinicians should be aware that other profiles are quite common.
Clinical impression of equine influenza at Morgan Park and the western region of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The clinical signs of horses infected with equine influenza in two Queensland locations, Morgan Park Recreational Grounds at Warwick, and the western region of Brisbane, are described and compared. Clinical signs were observed to be more severe, and treatment more intensive, in horses in stressful settings.
Equine influenza immunity in the Special Restricted Area (Purple Zone) of New South Wales, Australia. The 2007 equine influenza (EI) outbreak in New South Wales (NSW) consisted of a central infected area that extended south from the lower New England Tableland, across the Hunter Valley, Central Coast and the Sydney basin, and a series of isolated clusters outside this area across rural NSW. The central area was assigned the status of a Purple Zone (Special Restricted Area, SRA) approximately 1 month after the outbreak commenced. Within this SRA, the eradication program's focus was to increase the proportion of horses immune to EI via vaccination, thus reducing the susceptible proportion to a l...
Risk of an equine influenza virus reservoir establishing in wild horses in New South Wales during the Australian epidemic. Australia has the world's largest population of wild equids and equine influenza (EI) was confirmed on several properties in New South Wales (NSW) close to uncontrolled areas of land during the 2007 outbreak. Likelihood and risk management assessments were carried out to determine the risk of EI infection of the wild horse populations. The likelihood of spread to the wild horse population was determined to be extremely low, but the likelihood of spread from an established wild horse reservoir back to domestic horses was considered high. The most effective mechanism of control was determined to...
The August 2007 equine influenza response management framework. This section outlines the most important issues addressed in the management of the response in the two infected states, New South Wales and Queensland. There were differences in the management of the response between the states for logistic, geographic and organisation structural reasons. Issues included the use of control centres, information centres, the problems associated with the lack of trained staff to undertake all the roles, legislative issues, controls of horse movements, the availability of resources for adequate surveillance, the challenges of communication between disparate groups...
Application of real-time PCR and ELISA assays for equine influenza virus to determine the duration of viral RNA shedding and onset of antibody response in naturally infected horses. During the equine influenza (EI) outbreak, two assays were used in parallel to diagnose the disease, to demonstrate freedom from infection in disease control zones and ultimately to demonstrate that EI virus had been eliminated from the Australian horse population. A longitudinal study of a population of naturally infected horses was established to determine the performance characteristics of these assays.