1HZV - Australian Veterinary Association

AVA QLD DIVISION EXECUTIVE, STANDING & SUB-COMMITTEES& OTHER HONORARY POSITIONS 2010PresidentPresident ElectHonorary TreasurerHonorary SecretaryCommittee MembersInvited Executive MembersHonorary Newsletter EditorVeterinary EducationAnimal WelfareRep. on Body Corporate – AVA HouseHistorianPolicy CouncillorJodie WilsonTony ThelanderBob ReesMichael O’DonoghueBruce Pott, Andrew Easton, Patricia Clarke, RobertHedlefs and Nigel ThomasMalcolm McLennan, Jon Hill and Robert CassidyDavid PaxtonMichael O’Donoghue (Convenor), Sue Fowkes, SueLapham, Patricia Clarke and Sandra De CatAndrew Tribe, Ray Barbero, David Lovell, LaurieDowling and Robert CassidyJohn OdlumMalcolm McLennanRobert HedlefsFast forward

AVAQldDivisionPresident’sWordWow! You would not believe how busy your AVA has been in Queensland in the last few months. Before I becameinvolved in the AVA as a volunteer, I really had no clue about how much work is done every day by bothAVA volunteers and the AVA employees who support us so well. As a full time practitioner, I find it really challenging,but I’m really enjoying the diversity of the challenges, and the incredible range of issues dealt with byveterinarians in Queensland. Everything from fish and waterways health to sending a microchip to Tonga!One of my biggest challenges is speaking to the media, and it’s something I’ve had to do a lot recently! One exampleyou may have noticed recently in the media, with coverage all around Queensland, was a story on the upcomingSnakebite season – experts are predicting it will be a big one! I interviewed with journalists from ABCBrisbane; ABC Sunshine Coast; 4BC; ABC Darling Downs; Sea FM; Southern Cross Media; Breeze FM; 96.5FM; the Courier Mail; 4RO Rockhampton; the Weather Channelon Foxtel; Central Queensland News and the TablelandsNewspaper. And that was from a single press release! We’vealso talked to journalists about Cane Toads, Parvovirus; Petsand the elderly, and many more issues – and even had someTV appearances. As well as that, we’ve filmed footage for anupcoming Workplace Health and Safety film. And yes, I still dosee my patients!We also recently finalised our Horse Health Chart competition– congratulations to Demelza Kingston (a fourth year studentfrom UQ) who was the winner. Demelza’s entry was selectedfrom a field of strong candidates, and we congratulate everyonewho took the time to enter. Speaking of vet students, we’dall like to wish you the best in your end-of-year examinations.Remember to dodge the Jacaranda flowers – and if you dohave any problems, remember that supplementary examswon’t kill you – or I’d have been dead many times over!Best wishes for a safe and happy festive season to AVA staff,as well as our members, and their families, with sincerewishes for a prosperous 2011.

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diseases (such as immune-mediated thrombocytopeniaand polyarthritis) are sometimes linked, at least temporally,to vaccination. However, the evidence is less clearcut, and once again a causal relationship can only be inferred.Although our vaccination protocols first came under scrutinybecause of safety concerns, I believe that safety is nolonger the central concern, the debate has moved on. Atissue now, is whether or not veterinarians can justify theirrevaccination recommendations to inquisitive, wellinformedclient owners of adult dogs and cats who wouldrather not repeatedly vaccinate their animals, if it is notentirely necessary.HistoryofrevaccinationpracticesandstatementsfromprofessionalsocietiesCurrent recommendations concerning annual revaccinationof dogs and cats date back to the late 1950s andearly 1960s and are not soundly scientifically based. Inone of the earliest studies, approximately 1/3 of puppiesvaccinated with a modified-live distemper vaccine did nothave a “protective” antibody titre when they were checkedone year after initial vaccination. On this basis, it was recommendedthat dogs should be revaccinated annually asa safety measure. Forty years on, many immunologistsargue that antibody titres are an indirect and often ratherconservative measure of anti-viral immunity, since theytell us next to nothing about cellular immunity and memoryB-cells. “Protective” distemper titre cut-off values tellus what amount of passively transferred maternal antibodieswould be sufficient on its own to protect an unvaccinatedpuppy. The puppies used to develop the originalrevaccination guidelines were not challenged with virulentdistemper virus, so it is not clear how well (or poorly) protectedthey would have been against distemper, one yearafter vaccination.In 1961 another researcher was concerned that widespreadvaccination of dogs against distemper might substantiallyreduce natural exposure and therefore naturalboosting of immunity. He suggested that practitionersmight choose to revaccinate adult animals whose immunestatus was in doubt. He did not make a blanketrecommendation for annual booster injections, but feltthat practitioners would be best placed to exercise discretionin deciding on the frequency (if any) of revaccination.Nevertheless, routine annual revaccination of adult animalsbecame the accepted norm in some countries duringthe 1960s and 1970s. In 1978 the American VeterinaryMedical Association (AVMA) issued a set of guidelineson revaccination frequency based primarily on contemporarypractices. An updated AVMA report in 1989made no substantial alterations to the earlier recommendations.Annual revaccination was recommended for allvaccine components, with one exception. Because of itspublic health significance, rabies was treated differently. Itwas required that duration of immunity (DOI) be demonstratedfor rabies virus vaccines. DOI studies showedthat several rabies vaccines could provide solid immunitythat lasted for at least 3 years so these vaccines weregiven triennially in some states.It is perhaps a testament to the overall safety and efficacyof companion animal vaccines that these recommendationsremained unaltered for so long. Undoubtedly theincidence of canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitisand feline panleucopenia have declined dramaticallysince the 1950s and, more recently, vaccination hasplayed an important role in protecting dogs from parvoviralenteritis.In July 1997 the first International Veterinary Vaccinesand Diagnostics Conference was held in Madison, Wisconsin,USA. About 500 veterinarians and other scientistsattended. Afterwards, several American veterinaryschools promptly switched to a triennial schedule of revaccinationfor both dogs and cats against “core” viruses(infectious canine hepatitis, distemper and parvovirus fordogs; panleucopenia, herpesvirus and calicivirus forcats). About three years later, Massey University in NewZealand followed suit and the New Zealand VeterinaryAssociation published guidelines for its members in linewith the new Massey University position.In 1998, 2000 and again in 2006 the American Associationof Feline Practitioners (AAFP) issued guidelines suggestingthat adult cats should be vaccinated triennially,rather than annually, against feline panleucopenia, felineherpesvirus and feline calicivirus (Richards et al 2006).They did so knowing their advice ran contrary to mostvaccine manufacturers’ label recommendations. Theseguidelines were based on a careful examination of limitedavailable data on duration of immunity induced by modernfeline vaccines.In November 2002, the American Veterinary Medical Association(AVMA) published a report from its Council onBiologic and Therapeutic Agents concerning cat and dogvaccines (Klingborg et al 2002). In this report it wasstated: “There is increasing evidence that some vaccinesprovide immunity beyond 1 year. Unnecessary stimulationof the immune system does not result in enhanceddisease resistance and may expose animals to unnecessaryrisks”. The report also mentioned under individualdisease monographs that revaccination intervals for adultdogs and cats can be extended beyond one year for vaccinesagainst canine distemper, canine parvovirus, canineinfectious hepatitis and feline panleucopenia. Thereis an updated set of vaccination principles (an AVMA policy)on the AVMA website (http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/vaccination_principles.asp).In 2003, and again in 2006, the American Animal HospitalAssociation (AAHA) published reports encapsulating caninevaccine guidelines. These reports confronted thematter of revaccination intervals head-on and stated thatrevaccination every 3 years against canine distemper,hepatitis and parvovirus with modified live vaccines isconsidered protective, despite some manufacturers’ recommendationsfor annual revaccination (Paul et al 2006).In April 1998 the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association(CVMA) published an article entitled “Vaccine protocolchange deemed premature”. In this article they statedtheir intention to abide by manufacturers’ revaccinationrecommendations for the moment. This article spawneda critical commentary, describing the CVMA positionstatement as “ill considered”. Subsequently CVMA announcedits desire to harmonise its future revaccinationrecommendations with those of the AVMA.Most recently, in 2008, the CVMA adopted a new positionstatement very much in line with the AAHA and AAFPguidelines (Vallee 2008).In 2007 (in Sydney), and again in 2010, the World SmallAnimal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) launched andpublished guidelines very much in line with those of the

AAHA and AAFP, but with greater consideration for theneeds and concerns of veterinarians practicing in less developedcountries (Day et al 2007, 2010).Finally, in June 2009, the Board of the Australian VeterinaryAssociation (AVA) ratified a new policy on canineand feline vaccination that is very much in line with theWSAVA guidelines.Overall, my interpretation of these recommendations andposition statements is that there is a clear and strengtheningtrend for large professional veterinary organisations torecommend or support less frequent revaccination of adultdogs and cats against some important diseases. Vaccinemanufacturers have been taking careful note of these recommendationsand many have already altered their labelrecommendations as a consequence.Why do some veterinarians frequently revaccinate adult dogs and cats against‘everything’?At first glance, the answer to this question seems perfectlyobvious: we do it because we believe it is the best way toprovide and maintain strong protection against importantinfectious diseases to the animals under our care. Perhapsso, but what about the almost universal recommendationfor annual revaccination against all sorts of infections?Given that immune responses to naturallyoccurringinfections vary a lot, it seems highly improbablethat protection provided by chalk-and-cheese vaccinesshould, in so many cases, conveniently last for just over ayear. In fact it’s not just highly improbable, it’s simply notthe case. Regardless of their labelling, we know thatmany companion animal vaccines protect for far longerthan a year while others, directed against more ‘difficult’diseases, struggle to protect for a full year. A discrepancybetween label revaccination recommendations and actualduration of induced immunity is possible because manufacturershave not been required to supply ‘ultimate’ durationof immunity data in order to get their products licensed.A vaccine that protects for longer than what isclaimed on its label has, in the past, been viewed as agood thing. Indeed it is a good thing, but even betterwould be vaccines that have been proved to protect forconsiderably longer than a year and are accurately labelledwith the actual duration of immunity they can beexpected to provide in a large majority of recipients.So the real reasons why some veterinarians revaccinatecompanion animals frequently (usually annually) against‘everything’ are that:1. It is still a label recommendation of many of the suppliersof vaccines. To deviate from their recommendationswould constitute ‘off label’ use of vaccine andmight lay the veterinary practice open to criticism (orlitigation) if a vaccine used ‘off label’ failed to protect anindividual animal. The practice’s professional indemnityinsurance might even be jeopardised by such offlabel use of vaccine.2. It has become an accepted norm for conscientiousowners. Many owners enjoy visiting their veterinarianfor an annual revaccination and feel they are behavingas good pet-owning citizens by doing so.3. It provides a convenient opportunity for the veterinarianto check carefully for any developing health problemsthat may be entirely unrelated to vaccination; for exam-ple, periodontal and heart diseases. It also provides aready opportunity for the client to ask any questionsthey may have about the general health status of theiranimal, and to purchase various health related products,for example, wormers and flea treatments; and4. Kennel and cattery proprietors are, as yet, relativelyuninformed about the duration of immunity induced bymodern vaccines. Consequently, these proprietorshave formulated their own rules and regulations, insome cases without much input from veterinary professionals.Since many clients need to board their animalseach year, they must get their animals vaccinatedto abide by the rules of their preferred cattery or kennel.To my mind, the second and third points above would beexcellent reasons for continuing indefinitely the practice ofregular revaccination of adult dogs and cats, regardless ofDOI considerations, if a). the vaccines were completelysafe, and b). they were provided at no cost to the client.Since the vaccines we administer are neither completelysafe nor provided for free, I think we need to be convincedthat each vaccine we administer can be expected to dosomething directly beneficial for the recipient and, by extension,for the client who is paying for it. Unfortunately,there is strong and mounting evidence that most vaccinesadministered to adult dogs and cats serve no beneficial‘immunological’ purpose whatsoever. It is this evidencethat has led the AVMA, AAHA, CVMA, AAFP, NZVA andAVA to issue significantly revised guidelines in the recentpast.“Core”and“noncore”vaccines“Core” vaccines are defined as those that should be administeredto every puppy or kitten, and should be used inadults in a manner that maintains robust protection for life(Levy et al 2008; Day et al 2010). Generally, to be designatedas “core”, a vaccine must provide strong protectionagainst a life threatening disease that is thought to pose asubstantial risk to the population being vaccinated. A listof “core” vaccines identified by AVMA, AAHA, AAFP,CVMA and NZVA that is relevant to Australia comprisescanine distemper, canine infectious hepatitis and canineparvovirus type 2 for dogs; and feline panleucopenia, felineherpesvirus 1 and feline calicivirus for cats. In someparts of Australia, it would be appropriate to add to this listof “core” vaccines. For example, in some wet regions,Leptospira vaccines for dogs can be considered “core”.“Non-core” vaccines are those that need not be administeredto every animal because of one or more of the following: the diseases against which they protect are relativelymild; the animal has very little chance of exposure to therelevant infectious agent(s); the vaccine can cause serious adverse effects, makingthe risk-benefit ratio unattractive; and/or there is insufficient scientific information to allow aninformed decision about the need, efficacy or safety ofthe vaccine.Examples of non-core vaccines are those against felinechlamydophilosis, feline dermatophytes, canine and felinebordetellosis, canine and feline giardiasis, canine and felinecoronaviruses and canine Lyme borreliosis. Many ofthese vaccines are not currently available in Australia. Inaddition, the commercially-available vaccine against feline

immunodeficiency virus has been designated “noncore” inmost of the published reports and guidelines. This designationis based upon uncertainties about efficacy and concernsabout the challenge of distinguishing cats vaccinatedwith this vaccine from those naturally infected by FIV(Hosie and Beatty 2007). The vaccine is not being sold inEurope and is not selling particularly well in North America.In experiments conducted by the vaccine’s inventor, it protectedAmerican cats against two strains of FIV. The vaccinefailed to protect Scottish cats against a highly pathogenicScottish strain of FIV (Dunham et al 2006). Furtherintensive study of this vaccine, including field trials, is warranted.“Longlasting”and“shortlasting”vaccinesModified live versions of some of the “core” vaccines mentionedabove (canine distemper, hepatitis and parvovirusfor dogs; panleucopenia for cats) are almost universallyaccepted to provide very long lasting protection, for wellover 3 years, and possibly for life. This assumes that vaccinehas been properly transported, stored and administeredto a healthy animal and that, in puppies and kittens,interfering maternal antibodies have waned sufficiently sothat the animal can be successfully immunized by the vaccine.Vaccines against the feline respiratory viruses (herpesvirusand calicivirus) provide relatively poor protection, but oneexpertly-conducted study has shown that substantial levelsof protection can persist for at least 7.5 years (Scott andGeissinger 1997, 1999). It is not necessarily the case thata poor vaccine can be improved by administering it morefrequently. For example, a major problem with felinecalicivirus vaccines is that the strain in the vaccine (usuallyit is just one) may not cross-protect against the prevalentstrains in a particular recipient’s home neighbourhood(Pedersen et al 2000). More frequent vaccination againstthe wrong strain will provide little or no benefit.It is generally held that available vaccines against leptospirosis,bordetellosis and feline chlamydophilosis inducerelatively short-lived immunity, in some cases for less thana full year. The duration of immunity provided by canineparainfluenza virus vaccines has proved more difficult todetermine precisely but may be shorter than 3 years. Ifprotection against these infections is considered necessaryfor a particular patient, then revaccination every 6-12months, or shortly before periods of high risk, is recommended.Many Australian dogs and cats receive only long-lasting“core” vaccines. If, in the future, all manufacturers’ labelrecommendations change to recommend much longer revaccinationintervals, there is the potential that some animalswill not be examined at practices every year becausetheir owners will not be ‘triggered’ to bring them in by theneed for revaccination. Annual visits to the veterinarianare easy to remember. Biennial, triennial or even less frequentrevaccination recommendations may be confusingand difficult for clients to remember. Clients may be moreeasily lost to follow-up by practices. Understandably,some veterinarians find these prospects very worrying andare concerned that there will be a consequent overall declinein the quality of health enjoyed by pets and workingdogs.To combat these potential adverse effects, practicesshould vigorously market the professional skills of theirveterinary staff and—if they are persuaded it provides atangible health benefit to their patients—promote to theirclients the advantages of frequent (for example, annual)health checks of each animal. Underplaying the importanceof vaccination and emphasising the potential benefitsof a thorough, expert clinical examination and professionalconsultation would seem sensible, even if changesto revaccination practices are not contemplated by practicestaff in the immediate future.Recommendations offered to veterinarypractices1. Develop a practice policy dealing with all relevant aspectsof companion animal vaccination. For example,decide what you think are your “core” and “non-core”vaccines. If the policy is sufficiently complicated, write itdown clearly and keep it with your other written operatingprocedures. Make sure everyone in the practiceknows and ‘buys into’ the policy. Clients should thenreceive consistent advice from any practice staff memberthey may consult.2. Make sure front line staff members understand and areready to explain why the practice has adopted its particularpolicy. All should be ready to answer questionsfrom clients about alternative approaches, which otherlocal practices may have adopted. Know some of theadvantages and disadvantages of the alternative approaches.3. If you decide to use vaccines “off-label” (e.g., more orless often than the manufacturer recommends) makesure you obtain informed consent from clients beforedoing so.4. Follow closely guidelines on the storage and use ofcompanion animal vaccines. Check all batches of vaccinesas they arrive with the courier. Return to senderany vaccines (especially modified live ones) that do notarrive at the required temperature (usually 2-8°C). Donot be embarrassed about this, it is essential that vaccinesbe handled properly to maintain their efficacy.Ensure you keep vaccines in a serviceable refrigeratorthat maintains your vaccines within the required temperaturerange. Only reconstitute vaccines immediatelyprior to use.5. Vets in the practice should no longer inject vaccines intothe interscapular furrow of cats. It is one of the worstpossible places in which to detect and from which toresect a sarcoma. Commonly-used modified live vaccinesagainst feline herpesvirus, calicivirus and panleucopeniaare better administered subcutaneously overone or other of the scapulae; i.e., a few centimetres lateralto the dorsal mid-line. It is easier to see and dealwith any postvaccinal lump that may arise in this location.This advice is offered even though the risk of anon-adjuvanted modified live vaccine causing a sarcomais considered to be much lower than with use ofadjuvanted vaccines.6. Adjuvanted feline vaccines (killed or subunit) have thepotential to cause injection site reactions and, in rarecases, sarcomas. The risk of sarcoma formation isfairly low (~1-3 per 10,000 vaccinates in countrieswhere it has been studied). This is considered highenough to justify special precautions when using adjuvantedvaccines. Adjuvanted vaccines should be injectedsubcutaneously, as distally as possible, in one ofthe hind legs. In practice, this usually means just proxi-

mal to the stifle. If both FeLV and adjuvanted FHCPand or FIV vaccines are used in the practice, theFeLV vaccine should be injected into the left hind legand the adjuvanted FHCP or FIV vaccine into the righthind leg. If FeLV and modified live FHCP vaccines areused, the FeLV vaccination site should be alternatedbetween the left and right hind legs from year to year,to avoid repeatedly depositing adjuvant in the sameanatomical location.7. Owners should be instructed to watch and feel fordevelopment of lumps >1cm diameter at injectionsites. Lumps form rather commonly after vaccination,the vast majority are of little or no concern, decreasingin size with the passage of time. However, a postvaccinallump >1cm diameter that persists for morethan 3 months is of serious concern and should bebiopsied. Incisional or needle (i.e., Trucut®) biopsy,rather than an attempt at complete excision is recommended.These tumours can be very difficult to excisecompletely and if the first surgery is unsuccessful,the overall prognosis for the cat is worsened.Recommendationsofferedtokennels/catteries1. In collaboration with your chosen veterinary advisor(s), develop a well-reasoned, science-based policyconcerning your revaccination requirements. Takeyour time and do it properly. For example, make timeto discuss your draft policy document with local veterinarypractitioners. Once it has been formulated,make sure that all kennel / cattery employees understandand apply the policy consistently.2. When examining a vaccination certificate, check thatthe animal has been vaccinated against the necessarydiseases. Then check to see how far into thefuture the veterinarian says the animal should be protectedagainst these diseases. In a world of changingrevaccination recommendations, this is the mostimportant information on the vaccination certificate.Nowadays, vaccine manufacturers do not all makethe same duration of immunity claims. This situationis likely to become even more complicated in future.Trust what the veterinarian writes on the certificateabout protection into the future.3. Avoid setting your own hard-and-fast rules aboutwhen the animal must have received its last injection(s). Your rules might contradict vaccine manufacturers'instructions or local veterinary practice sciencebasedpolicies. Such rules might also require yourclients' animals to receive unnecessary ‘extra’ vaccinations,which are not entirely without risk.ReferencesAkita GY, Ianconescu M, MacLachlan NJ, Osburn BI.Bluetongue disease in dogs associated with contaminatedvaccine. Veterinary Record 134, 283-4, 1994Appel MJ. Forty years of canine vaccination. Advancesin Veterinary Medicine 41, 309-24, 1999Day MJ, Horzinek MC, Schultz RD. Guidelines for thevaccination of dogs and cats. Compiled by the VaccinationGuidelines Group (VGG) of the World Small AnimalVeterinary Association (WSAVA). Journal of Small AnimalPractice 48, 528-41, 2007Day MJ, Horzinek MC, Schultz RD. WSAVA Guidelinesfor the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats. Journal of SmallAnimal Practice 51, 338-56, 2010Dunham SP, Bruce J, MacKay S, Golder M, Jarrett O,Neil JC. Limited efficacy of an inactivated feline immunodeficiencyvirus vaccine. Veterinary Record 158, 561-2,2006Duval D, Giger U. Vaccine-associated immune-mediatedhemolytic anemia in the dog.Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 10, 290-5, 1996Evermann JF. Accidental introduction of viruses intocompanion animals by commercial vaccines. VeterinaryClinics of North America. Small Animal Practice 38, 919-29, x, 2008Harrus S, Waner T, Aizenberg I, Safra N, Mosenco A,Radoshitsky M, Bark H.Development of hypertrophic osteodystrophy and antibodyresponse in a litter of vaccinated Weimaraner puppies.Journal of Small Animal Practice 43, 27-31, 2002Hendrick MJ, Goldschmidt MH. Do injection site reactionsinduce fibrosarcomas in cats?Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association199, 968, 1991Hendrick MJ, Goldschmidt MH, Shofer FS, Wang YY,Somlyo AP. Postvaccinal sarcomas in the cat: epidemiologyand electron probe microanalytical identification ofaluminum. Cancer Research 52, 5391-4, 1992Hendrick MJ. Historical review and current knowledge ofrisk factors involved in feline vaccine-associated sarcomas.Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association213, 1422-3, 1998Hosie MJ, Beatty JA. Vaccine protection against felineimmunodeficiency virus: setting the challenge. AustralianVeterinary Journal 85, 5-12; quiz 85, 2007Jelinek F. Postinflammatory sarcoma in cats. Experimentaland Toxicologic Pathology 55, 167-72, 2003Kass PH, Barnes WG, Jr., Spangler WL, Chomel BB,Culbertson MR. Epidemiologic evidence for a causalrelation between vaccination and fibrosarcoma tumorigenesisin cats. Journal of the American Veterinary MedicalAssociation 203, 396-405, 1993Kass PH, Spangler WL, Hendrick MJ, McGill LD,Esplin DG, Lester S, Slater M, Meyer EK, Boucher F,Peters EM, Gobar GG, Htoo T, Decile K. Multicentercasecontrol study of risk factors associated with developmentof vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats. Journal ofthe American Veterinary Medical Association 223, 1283-92, 2003Kass PH. Methodological issues in the design andanalysis of epidemiological studies of feline vaccineassociatedsarcomas. Animal Health Research Reviews5, 291-3, 2004Kirpensteijn J. Feline injection site-associated sarcoma:Is it a reason to critically evaluate our vaccinationpolicies? Veterinary Microbiology 117, 59-65, 2006Klingborg DJ, Hustead DR, Curry-Galvin EA, GumleyNR, Henry SC, Bain FT, Paul MA, Boothe DM, BloodKS, Huxsoll DL, Reynolds DL, Riddell MG, Jr., ReidJS, Short CR. AVMA Council on Biologic and TherapeuticAgents' report on cat and dog vaccines. Journalof the American Veterinary Medical Association 221,1401-7, 2002Lester S, Clemett T, Burt A. Vaccine site-associatedsarcomas in cats: clinical experience and a laboratoryreview (1982-1993). Journal of the American AnimalHospital Association 32, 91-5, 1996Levings RL, Wilbur LA, Evermann JF, Stoll IR, StarlingDE, Spillers CA, Gustafson GA, McKeiman AJ,

Rhyan JC, Halverson DH, Rosenbusch RF. Abortionand death in pregnant bitches associated with a caninevaccine contaminated with bluetongue virus.Developments in Biological Standardization 88, 219-20,1996Levy J, Crawford C, Hartmann K, Hofmann-LehmannR, Little S, Sundahl E, Thayer V. 2008 American Associationof Feline Practitioners' feline retrovirus managementguidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery10, 300-16, 2008Paul MA, Carmichael LE, Childers H, Cotter S, DavidsonA, Ford R, Hurley KF, Roth JA, Schultz RD,Thacker E, Welborn L. 2006 AAHA canine vaccineguidelines.Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 42,80-9, 2006Pedersen NC, Elliott JB, Glasgow A, Poland A, KeelK. An isolated epizootic of hemorrhagic-like fever in catscaused by a novel and highly virulent strain of felinecalicivirus. Veterinary Microbiology 73, 281-300, 2000Pollock RV, Carmichael L. Canine viral enteritis. Recentdevelopments. Modern Veterinary Practice 60, 375-80,1979Richards JR, Elston TH, Ford RB, Gaskell RM, HartmannK, Hurley KF, Lappin MR, Levy JK, Rodan I,Scherk M, Schultz RD, Sparkes AH. The 2006 AmericanAssociation of Feline Practitioners Feline VaccineAdvisory Panel report. Journal of the American VeterinaryMedical Association 229, 1405-41, 2006Scott FW, Geissinger CM. Duration of immunity in catsvaccinated with an inactivated feline panleukopenia,herpesvirus and calicivirus vaccine. Feline Practice 25,12-9, 1997Scott FW, Geissinger CM. Long-term immunity in catsvaccinated with an inactivated trivalent vaccine. AmericanJournal of Veterinary Research 60, 652-8, 1999Sharp NJ, Davis BJ, Guy JS, Cullen JM, Steingold SF,Kornegay JN. Hydranencephaly and cerebellar hypoplasiain two kittens attributed to intrauterine parvovirus infection.Journal of Comparative Pathology 121, 39-53, 1999Shoenfeld Y, Aron-Maor A. Vaccination and autoimmunity-'vaccinosis':a dangerous liaison? Journal of Autoimmunity14, 1-10, 2000Vallee B. Canadian Veterinary Medical Associationadopts a new position statement on vaccination protocolsfor dogs and cats. Canadian Veterinary Journal 49, 362-5; quiz 5, 2008AmericanStaffordshireTerriersIn May 2010, Queensland News carried a press releaseby Dogs Queensland (the Canine Control Council ofQueensland) which was concerned that, under the AnimalManagement (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, the SupremeCourt of Queensland had ruled that AmericanStaffordshire Terriers were the restricted American PitBull TerriersLocal Government Minister Desley Boyle has moved toput the matter right: on 15 September 2010 she explainedthat the Act has been amended to clarify that Amstaffsare not "restricted dogs".Ms Boyle said while it was never the State's intention forAmstaffs to be classified as restricted dogs, the Court'sdetermination meant the amendment was necessary.There are an estimated 4000 Amstaffs in Queenslandand some 230 on the Gold Coast. The legislative amendmentexpands the provisions relating to identification sothat vets may issue certification as evidence of any breedof dog, not just restricted dogs which they could only dopreviously. As well, pedigree certificates issued by theAustralian National Kennel Council and any of its memberbodies such as Dogs Queensland will also be acceptedas evidence of a dog's breed. Ms Boyle said the amendmentwas modelled on the Commonwealth Government'sveterinary certification system used in enforcing importationprohibitions on certain breeds."The amendment, it is important to spell out, will not compromisecommunity safety as owners of all dogs, includingAmstaff owners, will still be held accountable for thebehaviour of their dogs and face the full weight of the lawif their dogs behave badly," Ms Boyle said. In Queensland(the owners of) any dog who bites a person can facefines of up to $30,000 under the Animal Management(Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 and the offending dog can beseized by a Council and declared as dangerous.Ms Boyle said dogs who caused fear were also not immune,with owners liable to fines of up to $2,000 andCouncils able to declare these offending animal as menacing.Special provisions apply to animals that are declared byCouncils as dangerous or menacing, such as muzzling inpublic, fencing and kennel requirements.Vet2011—Celebrating250YearsoftheVeterinaryProfessionThe world’s first veterinary school was founded in Lyon,France, in 1761, followed by the Alfort veterinary school,near Paris, in 1764, both at the initiative of French veterinarianClaude Bourgelat. Therefore, 2011 will mark the250th world anniversary of veterinary education.By setting up the world’s first veterinary training institutions,Bourgelat created the veterinary profession itself.Thus, 2011 will also mark the 250th world anniversary ofthe veterinary profession.As a result of Bourgelat’s fruitful collaboration with surgeonsin Lyon, he was also the first scientist who daredto suggest that studying animal biology and pathologywould help to improve our understanding of human biologyand pathology. 2011 will also mark the 250th anniversaryof the concept of comparative pathobiology, withoutwhich modern medicine would never have emerged.The entire world should join with us in celebrating ourveterinary profession, which has been working to improveboth animal and human health for the past250 years.For further information, please visit www.vet2011.org

Editor’sNote:ThePrecautionaryPrincipleDeformities and mortalities of fish at the Sunland FishHatchery on the Noosa River have recently been the subjectof television documentaries on 60 Minutes and the7.30 Report (twice), not to mention much other media coverageand comment. Readers may not be aware that severalmembers of the Association have been in the thick ofthe debate.About 27 years ago the Sunland Fish Hatchery (SFH) beganto breed silver perch, bass, Mary river cod and yellowbelly to restock dams for recreational fishermen to catchbecause the barriers to natural fish movement have preventedspawning. Within the Noosa River commercial fishermenhave observed the natural population of golden eyemullet and bass decline dramatically for unknown reasons.This situation exists despite the fact that the Noosa Riveris judged the cleanest in SE Queensland, largely thanks tothe efforts of volunteers and a multitude of stakeholders.In about 2005, macadamia farms (MF) were establishednear SFH and a year later there was a total fish kill at SFHthought to be due to spray drift. MF paid compensation inthis first instance without admitting liability.MF changed ownership, and mutation and mortality eventscontinued at the fish hatchery however the new ownersdenied responsibility. SFH had lodged multiple reportsthrough the QDPI spray drift hotline to nil effect. SFHpleaded for help through a hatchery journal. Dr MattLandos, Director of Future Fisheries Veterinary Services(FFVS) visited in October 2008 and undertook a fullinvestigation. He noted correlation between spray drift andfish abnormalities/mortalities. Over time he identified threespray chemicals as possible causes: the fungicide carbendazim,known to have potential to disrupt fish hormonesand considered by Dr Landos to be the mostlikely cause of the two headed bass; the insecticides betacyfluthrinand endosulfan which is an organochlorineknown to have disastrous effects on aquatic life; and twoorganophosphates, methidathione and trichlorfon. Each ofthe chemicals was mixed with a wetting agent, which isalso implicated as an endocrine disrupting alkylphenolcompound.Endosulfan is an effective crop protector and is 50 percentcheaper than alternatives. It is reported to be removedfrom regulatory approval in 60 countries and endosulfanand the organophosphates have been voluntarily withdrawnfrom some markets by some manufacturers, suchas Bayer. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary MedicinesAuthority (APVMA) does have carbendazim underreview but noted that MF spraying has been carried out tobest practice standards. APVMA therefore saw no need toreview its position on endosulfan.Crop Life, the peak body representing the “plant sciencesolutions” industry protested Dr Landos’ opinion intemperately.The Greens accused government agencies of beingin denial about endosulfan and referred to parallel lossesin nearby ocean fisheries.The Queensland government established the Noosa FishHealth Investigation Task Force (TF) and a supportingtechnical sub-committee in January 2009. At least threeveterinarians were appointed, including Dr Landos. Todate the TF and subcommittee have met 16 times. Theyhave investigated 9 incidents of fish deformities/mortalities.The TF interim report in May 2010 was that there is suchdisagreement in the subcommittee that it is unlikely that aconsensus can be reached in the final report. The disagreementis about whether deformities/mortalities arelinked to the spraying by MF or are due to some aspect ofthe river system. Some members call for emphatic actionagainst endosulfan, others see the problem as an opportunityfor a full investigation.That is, there are those wishing the prompt withdrawal ofsuspect chemicals, preferring to err on the side of caution,and those advocating the collection of further information,preferring to err on the side of caution.SFH decided to sue MF for $2 million damages for fishlosses, loss of domestic animals and human health problems.MF filed a counter-suit against SFH and 60 Minutesfor defamation. On 13 October 2010 the AVPMA announcedon the basis of new evidence that the use of endosulfanwould be phased out over 2 years.The issue is symptomatic of the global dilemma. For example,in India the fishing state of Kerala has banned endosulfanafter loss of fish and human life, and is frustratedby the national government’s reluctance to sign a globalban under the Stockholm Convention. The national governmentis no doubt desperately conscious that its billionpeople need affordable food and clothing.Small wonder that the definition of precautionary principlehas received so much weighty legal and scientific attentionthat there are at least fifteen versions.CommentThe precautionary principle should be applied to protecthuman and environmental health from dangerous agrichemicalexposure. Removing the chemical toxins whichare generating the demonstrated changes in gene regulationfrom waterways are likely to result in improved aquaticanimal health, improved organism reproductive function(from zooplankton to oysters and fish) and healthier, moreproductive ecosystems. A win for tourists, a win for commercialfishermen, a win for conservationists, a win forrecreational fishermen. With oysters dying on StradbrokeIsland, Pomona River, Richmond River, LimeburnersCreek, after rainfall, there is evermore cause for concern.There is a sound science driven, safety-based reasoningas to why the European Union has removed alkylphenolsfrom use, and removed atrazine, and removedendosulfan.We are in a mess. The data supports every premise I haveput forward. Inadvertant off-site movement of pesticides iswidespread, and harmful, with the impotent regulator simplywatching from the sidelines, as my clients go out ofbusiness.Dr Matt LandosDirector, Future Fisheries Veterinary Services Pty Ltd

FlystrikeManagement:theAustralianWoolInnovationstrategyMrGeoffLindon,AustralianWoolInnovation,580GeorgeStreet,Sydney.Australian Wool Innovation’s (AWI) flystrike preventionpolicy supports an evidence-based approach to flystrikeprevention, to ensure the optimal health, welfare and productivityof Australian sheep.AWI is committed to a fast-tracked research and developmentprogram designed to support the safe and successfulphase out of the flystrike prevention procedure of mulesingover time as breeding strategies and research and developmentprograms progress.Since 2005, AWI has invested $A20 million on this breechflystrike prevention research and development program.This focuses on removing the need for mulesing throughgenetic research, breeding options and the developmentof alternative strategies and technologies. AWI is also focusingon enhancing analgesic options to ensure humaneanimal care where-ever the procedure is required in theinterim, including delivery of practical and affordable preoperativeanalgesic medications.Australian Wool Innovation encourages all farmers toadopt enhanced welfare practices and to declare theirpractices in the marketplace. Through the AWEX NationalWool Declaration Form wool growers can declare theirwool as either Non-Mulesed (NM), Ceased Mulesed (CM,wool from farms where wool growers no longer practicemulesing) or pain relief treated (PR). This provides transparencyand choice in the marketplace and allows for thedevelopment of market feedback signals.Australian Wool Innovation works to provide education andextension of breeding strategies and alternative options,and to keep the marketplace and other stakeholders informedof industry programs and progress.Key components of AWI Breech Flystrike Prevention Strategy: Innovation: breeding, clips, intradermals, blowfly ecology,pain management; Knowledge: National Mulesing Accreditation Program,integrated pest management, economic analysis, woolresidue monitoring, Australian Veterinary Associationaudit, liaison with welfare groups; Marketing: National Wool Declaration, marketing researchand development outcomes, global flystrikecommunications.Outcomes to date include: Breeding research has shown that low breech wrinkle,dag, breech cover and wool colour are associatedwith reduced incidence of breech flystrike. A VisualScore guide has been released for industry use anddata from these breeding trials, Australian Merino SireEvaluation, Sheep Cooperative Research Centre andseveral industry flocks, has allowed Sheep Geneticsto release an Australian Sheep Breeding Value forbreech wrinkle; Nearly $6M has been spent developing clips and theyhave now been commercialised by Leader Products PtyLtd; Intradermals based on Cetrimide, Collagenase, SodiumAlginate and Cyanoacrylate have been investigated andshown not to be effective nor offer welfare advantages.Research continues with Sodium Lauryl Sulphate andshows encouraging efficacy and improved welfare advantages; Research has been conducted on the blowfly genomebut it is blue sky work requiring considerable furtherinvestment over a long period and is lower priority workat this stage; AWI has investigated analgesic options and workedwith the private sector to improve the commercial viabilityof analgesic sheep veterinary products for Australia; There have been repeated meetings with welfaregroups, world retailer organisations, individual retailers,embassies and trade delegations and Industry groups.In the near future we and our partners plan to: Release dag, breech cover and wool colour AustralianSheep Breeding Values; Release a biodegradable clip; Continue research and development into the SodiumLauryl Sulphate alternative and its registration throughthe Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority; Continue investigations into analgesic options; Increase adoption of the National Wool DeclarationForm that will inform the supply chain of the progressoccurring on farm; Continue communications with welfare groups, retailers,growers and the public; Sell the natural attributes of wool in a broader environmentaland welfare friendly context.Readers are invited to visit the http://www.wool.com/Grow_Animal-Health_Flystrike-prevention_Technical-RnD-update.htm website to view update-to-date results ofresearch and photographs of breech clips etc.This paper is reprinted from Proceedings of the 3 rd AVA/NZVA Pan Pacific Veterinary Conference, Brisbane 2010,ISBN 978-0-9807967-0-4

LeptospirosisinQueenslandDrJeanElder*andDrBryanWoolcock**,formerlyQueenslandDepartmentofPrimaryIndustries*733BaldKnobRoad,Maleny,Q4552**T7/356BlunderRoad,DurackQ4077IntroductionLeptospirosis is an important public health and animalhealth issue. In Queensland the leptospirosis story beganin the 1880s in the recently settled humid north tropicalcoastal regions following many episodes of undiagnosedfevers. A considerable number of Europeans, employedin clearing the dense scrub near the rivers, died or wereinvalided in consequence (Derrick, 1957). As the groundbecame cleared the fevers became milder and lessprevalent. The so-called "Coastal fever" syndrome exercisedinquiring minds for fifty years. We now know themain problems were malaria, scrub typhus, typhoid fever,dengue and leptospirosis.In 1918 Anton Breinl (Director of the Australian Institute ofTropical Medicine in Townsville (AITM)) made a very significantobservation that there were two unclassified diseasesyndromes. In 1923 RW Cilento, a later Director ofthe AITM, commented on the close resemblance of Breinl’ssyndromes to two syndromes found in Japan. Thefirst resembled a mite-borne Japanese river fever (nowknown as scrub typhus), and the second resembled oneshown to be a mild form of leptospirosis (Derrick, 1957).Leptospirosis is caused by very thin spiral-shaped bacteriaof the single genus Leptospira. They thrive in thetropical and subtropical climate in Queensland and it isthought that the higher humidity, rainfall and temperaturepromote the survival of the organism in the environment.Over a 70 year period 57.6% of human leptospirosis notificationsin Australia were in Queensland, predominatelyin north Queensland. By 2008 this figure was 79.7%.About half the reported cases needed to be hospitalisedfor three or more days.In Queensland the first isolates were detected at theQueensland Health Department, Laboratory of Microbiologyand Pathology in Brisbane. Eventually the WHO/FAO/OIE Collaborating Centre for Reference and Researchon Leptospirosis was established in 1958 as partof the laboratory. This Centre has been of great importancein supporting identification of leptospira to both themedical and veterinary fields and in collaborative andindependent research. The Animal Research Instituteand its field stations (Queensland Department of PrimaryIndustries) first isolated leptospiral serovars from cattleand pigs and have continued to investigate leptospirosisup to the present. Both the University of Queensland andJames Cook University have done important research onleptospirosis.Live leptospira are best observed by darkfield microscopy(DFM). However this method is not reliable as the organismsare only detectable during the leptospiraemic phaseof the disease (approximately 10 days in humans). Culturemethods have improved progressively but, in earlytimes, it was difficult to get specimens to the laboratoriesquickly and without contamination. Culture is not a practicecommonly used as a diagnostic tool. Rapid serologicaltests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA)and nucleic acid based tests, such as the polymerasechain reaction (PCR), are becoming ideal diagnostic testsespecially as they can be automated. Real-time PCR candistinguish between pathogenic and non pathogenic serovars.The genus Leptospira is divided into 20 speciesbased on DNA hybridisation. In addition to the DNA techniques,a serologically based taxonomy system is used todivide the species into serovars of which there are over200. Serovars are also grouped into 23 serogroups accordingto their antigenic relatedness. Five pathogenicspecies have been found in Australia and three of theseoccur in Queensland. We focus on eight serovars belongingto these three species which are important in humanhealth and animal production in this state.Survival of individual serovars is dependent on the establishmentof a suitable relationship with the host speciesand an environment that will facilitate survival of leptospiresoutside the host. Individual serovars seem to becomemore adapted to and depend for their survival oncertain species of animals called maintenance hosts. Successfulmaintenance hosts have high susceptibility to leptospiralinfection and develop long term kidney colonisationoften without clinical signs of infection. Leptospirescan be shed into the urine for more than 12 months, consequentlyreleasing more bacteria into the environment.Other species (accidental hosts) will become infectedwhere there is sufficient, direct or indirect, contact withmaintenance hosts. Accidental hosts may not be as susceptibleto infection as maintenance hosts, but when affectedoften experience more severe clinical signs.Leptospiral serovars of importance in Queensland (*Original strains)Species Serovar First isol.QldMaint. host Industry assoc. humancasesDomestic animals infect.L. interrogans Australis 1933* Rats Cane cutters, banana ind. Cattle, pigs, dogsZanoni 1933* Rats Cane cutters, banana Cattle, pigs, dogsind., dogsPomona 1937* Pigs, feral pigs Farmers, abattoir wks.,vetsCattle, most farm animalsCopenhageni 1937 Urban rat Cane cutters Dogs, pigsL.Tarassovi 1942 Pigs, feral pigs Meat workers Most farm animalsborgpeterseniiHardjo 1969 Cattle Dairy ind. Most farm animalsArborea 1998 Introd. rodents Hortic., grain ind.L. weilii Topaz 1991/4* Banana farmers, dairyind., tourismCattle

Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposureto water contaminated with the urine of infectedanimals and subsequent ingestion or entry via mucosalsurfaces or broken skin. Workplace infections may alsooccur through exposure to contaminated body fluids andtissues of animals being slaughtered or handled. In humansthe majority of leptospirosis cases are seasonallydistributed throughout the year with 50.6% of cases beingdetected during the autumn months and the lowestnumber in the spring period. The disease is more prevalent(12:1) in males than in females.Variations in prevalence of serovars in different regionsof Queensland and over time have occurred particularlyin recent times. Pomona and Hardjo have dropped andArborea has increased in prevalence.AcknowledgmentsThe authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance ofRalph Doherty, Neill Sullivan, Lee Smythe, ChristineMcClintock and Bruce Corney. They all contributed upto date information and made useful comments on draftversions of the paper.ReferencesDerrick EH (1957) 'The challenge of north Queenslandfevers'. Australasian Ann. Med. Vol 6 (3): 173-188.Miller RI, Ross SP, Sullivan ND and Perkins NR (2007)'Clinical and epidemiological features of canine leptospirosisin north Queensland'. Aust. Vet. J. Vol. 85: 13-19.Slack AT, Symonds ML, Dohnt MF, Corney BG andSmythe LD (2007) 'Epidemiology of Leptospira weiliiserovar Topaz infections in Australia'. Commun. Dis.Intell. Vol. 31: 216-222.Slack AT, Symonds ML, Dohnt MF and Smythe LD(2006) 'The epidemiology of leptospirosis and the emergenceof Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Arborea inQueensland, Australia, 1998-2004'. Epidem Infect. Vol.134: 1217-1225.Smythe LD (2006) 'Leptospirosis - a review of laboratorydiagnostic methods'. Aust. J. Med. Sci. Vol. 27: 16-19.Sullivan ND (1974) 'Leptospirosis in animals and man'.Aust. Vet. J. Vol. 50: 216-223.Sutherland AK, Simmons GC and Kenny GC (1949)'Bovine leptospirosis; Three outbreaks in calves inQueensland'. Aust. Vet. J. Vol. 25: 197-202.This paper is reprinted from Proceedings of the 3 rd AVA/NZVA Pan Pacific Veterinary Conference, Brisbane 2010.ISBN 978-0-9807967-0-4HellofromtheEO’sdesk—AmandaPollardIn September representatives from the AVA QueenslandDivision and Branch Executive Committees attended AVAQueensland’s planning weekend. We were also joined byAVA National Strategy and Services Manager, DebbieNeutze. A very successful weekend was held duringwhich we developed a Strategic/Action Plan for 2011 andbeyond. Five key focus areas for our Division were identifiedas: Branch Engagement, Membership, Education/Events, Advocacy and Sponsorship. These form thebasis of our plan, which is now in place.AVA Qld has been involved in a great amount of Advocacywork during 2010. In recent months this has includedmeetings with the Departments of Infrastructureand Planning (DIP), Employment, Economic Developmentand Innovation (DEEDI) and Education and Training(DET) to discuss the issues of Puppy Farms, CommunityEducation and in particular AVA PetPEP and training ofVeterinary Nurses. AVA Qld has also continued its involvementin the HeV Interagency Technical WorkingGroup and the Horse Biosecurity and Markets AccessLiaison Group (HBMALG). The AVA Executive Committeewas recently involved in a presentation from TrishCoward from WH&S to present the Hendra virus (HeV)audit program findings. AVA Qld has met with a numberof our supporters such as Guild, Provet, Medfin and Eliteto discuss 2011 partnerships.AVA vets in Queensland involved in the AVA CenvetGraduate Support Scheme are currently undergoing MentorTraining to assist them in their role as mentors as partof this scheme. We have approximately fifty studentssigned up to take part in this program and are fortunate tohave thirty vets who have taken on the role of mentors.Once the training sessions are completed, Mentors andMentee matches will be announced and the Scheme willbe underway. The aim of this Graduate Support Schemeis to facilitate smoother transition to practice for veterinarygraduates and provide a framework to foster the sense ofcommunity that exists within the veterinary industry.As this edition of the Queensland News goes to print, theBrisbane Veterinary Practitioners will be holding their AnnualConference at Tangalooma. It is shaping up to be agreat event! Planning for the 2011 AVA Qld Division Conferenceis also well underway. This Conference will beheld in conjunction with the North Queensland Branch ofthe AVA in Townsville next year (25-27 March). Thetheme of this conference is “You Are What You Eat” andwill have cattle, small animal and vet nurse streams. It toowill be a great conference – so make sure you save thedate!I would like to take this opportunity tothank AVA Qld Division Executive Committee,staff and AVA Qld members foryour support throughout this year – beingmy first as Executive Officer for QueenslandDivision. I wish you all a veryMerry Christmas and look forward to anothergreat year ahead for AVA in Qld in2011.

Thehistoryofsomecommonlyused“alternative“medicines: AloeVera,andFlaxseed DrCharissaFranciesSmithBVScDipAcAcaciaAnimalCareAloeVera(Aloebarbadensis,Aloechinensis):Aloe vera is a plant commonly used as a treatment for skindisease, and is a component of skin treatment formulassuch as the shampoos released by Ken Mason in his Dermacarerange in the late 1980s. Since then there havebeen a plethora of veterinary shampoos and gels usingAloe vera.The commonly accepted first record of use was in aSumerian clay tablet, found in the city of Nippur, inscribedaround BC 2200. The first detailed discussion of Aloe'smedicinal value is probably in an Egyptian document writtenBC 1550. This document gives twelve formulas formixing Aloe with other agents to treat both internal andexternal human disorders. Copra's Indigenous Drugs ofIndia, 400 BC, showed it had widespread use "for externalapplication to inflamed painful parts of the body and forcausing purgation [internal cleansing].”Dioscorides (41 AD - 68 AD), master of Roman pharmacology,attributed to its juices "the power of binding, of inducingsleep." He noted as well that it "loosens the belly,cleansing the stomach." He further added that this "bitter"Aloe (the sap) was a treatment for boils; that it easedhaemorrhoids; that it aided in healing bruises; that it wasgood for the tonsils, the gums, and all general mouth irritations;and that it worked as a medicine for the eyes. Dioscoridesfurther observed that the whole leaf, when pulverized,could stop the bleeding of many wounds. This wasthe first comprehensive examination of its many uses toreach the western world. http://www.aloeria.co.uk/html/aloe_vera_history.html,http://www.liquidvitaminsadvisor.com/aloe_vera_history.htmlArabian physicians picked up the works of Dioscorideswhich were overlooked in medieval Europe apart from thework of the great feminist nun, Hildegard von Bingen1098-1179 AD. Its use was not common in Europe untilthe crusades (1096-1270 AD) when it is thought peoplereturning brought back the knowledge. In the middle agesArabic herbalists were the forefront to western medicineespecially in Iraq where some of the greatest practitionersexisted, such as the Persian-born physician Avicenna(980-1037 AD).He is considered the inventor of distillation.Uses of Aloes in Arabia were recorded in texts reported tobe now in the British Museum. At around the same time inChina, Aloe vera was traditionally used as part of herbalformulas as a bitter cold preparation for heated abdominalupsets and the dried juice of the leaf was the part used.This use was unlike the full leaf pulverising and laxativeusage in our century. The text in which its use first appearedwas, “Materia Medica of the Jia You Era” byZhang Yu-xi and Su Song in 1061. There was Arab migrationto China at this time, so it is possible the use of Aloestravelled to China from ArabiaIn the 1800s in Australia, (family history by me) Aloevera was planted near houses, and at the farm gate, andunder the old gum tree as a treatment for parasites, afunny tummy, and the hot sweats, where the inside surfacewas cleaned from the leaf, a tea made from this anddrunk. It was not commonly used for skin problems, aspeople only mashed up the whole leaf and in my opinionpeople were commonly overdosed, and too much of theinside of the leaf near the skin was used. My great grandmotherFrancies (DOB 1860) used it as a threat to smallchildren following the consumption of sweets. The 1905British Veterinary Codex, from which students at Universityof Sydney were taught in 1968, describes several differenttypes of aloe, credits it only with purgative properties, anddefines its action as being only in the large intestine; it ignoresall the soothing properties, and the differences betweenthe inner and outer part of the plant.In the post World War One era, herbalists increased innumbers and new authors espoused the use of Aloe vera,such as Mrs M Grieve in “A Modern Herbal” in 1931 wheremultiple uses and different species are described. In herbook, “The Complete herbal handbook for Farm and Stable”,Juliette de Bairacli Levi, 1952, used Aloe communisnot vera, and refers to Arabic sources and multiple uses.Herbalist and alternative vets started to use Aloe barbadensiscommonly as a gut immune system modifier, askin treatment and cooling laxative and antiparasitic in thetreatment of animals at this time.The next great step in the Australian veterinary use of Aloevera comes in Wynn and Fougere’s book “VeterinaryHerbal Medicine p 464” published in 2007 (and subsequentlyreviewed by me in “The Veterinarian”). Here themultiple uses of Aloe vera were described in a formatwhich made them easily available to all veterinarians, withscientific references. W and F describe the skin healing,the purgative action, immune modulating actions and actionsof acemannan, a gut immune modulator commonlymanufactured from Aloe vera. Its use as an anticancerand antiviral treatment is also described and is commonamong vets of the AHV. The side effects such as reductionin T3 and T4 levels (p 323), and interactions with othermedicines are also described.We are now more knowledgeable in the ways of plants,and know that an Aloe grown in China will have differentproperties to one grown in Gatton near the cow shed, andthat plant will vary according to the season, and the soil.Judging from the texts, the Chinese variety is more cooling.We are aware that the juice has different propertiesfrom the heavy gel lining the leaf which is where the purgativeand wound stimulating properties come. I keep asmall leafed Aloe vera for making soothing gel for burnsand allergic reactions, and a larger one for slow healingwounds and gut immunity. They both classify as Aloevera, but are somewhat different in action!Hurray for the humble Aloe!Linumusitatissimum(FlaxorLinseed)The oil from the linseed or flax plant seeds has become acommon supplement for small animals. It is used to provideantioxidants, and is part of some commercial dryfoods. The seed itself is also espoused as a common supplementfor pets, and the phytoestrogenic properties(detailed in Mills and Bone, “The Principles and Practice ofPhytotherapy: modern herbal medicine” 2000, p54 ISBN0443060169) are commonly overlooked.It is inexpensive, and if kept cool is long lasting. It came

into vogue in the 1990s whenaccording to a lecture at UQgiven by Isobel Johnson, the balanceof Omega 3, 6 and 9 wasrecommended to be ideal fordogs as an antioxidant reducingallergic skin irritation. Since thenthere have been many eruditearticles describing its use e.g.Wynn and Chalmers “Alternativetherapies for pruritic skin disorders”,Clinical Techniques inSmall Animal Practice, Vol 17 :1p 37-40. Wynn and Fougerehave alerted us to the use ofFlaxseed, not the oil as a cancertherapy p 301 “Veterinary HerbalMedicine” (2007, ISBN:97803230299878).Up until the 1980s flaxseed oilwas commonly known as rawlinseed oil, and was used mainlyfor large animals as a laxativeand to put a shine on the coat.When using it as a laxative in the1970s for treating horse sandcolic, it was mixed as one largebeer bottle of beer to 1 large beerbottle of linseed oil, emulsifiedand used as a drench by stomachtube. This mixture couldalso be emulsified with warmsaline (4 litres) and given rectally.In Mrs M Grieve’s book, “A ModernHerbal” (1931), she givesdetails of the multiple uses of theplant in human medicine over thecenturies, but relegates it to apurgative in veterinary medicine.The seeds were used extensivelyfor poulticing, and it is likely thiswas extended to race horsemedicine in earlier centuries.Bill Smith (my grandfather), repeatedwinner of Trotting racesat Barraba and Tamworth in the1930s used a combination ofsulphur powder, molasses andlinseed oil as a regular supplementto his horses to keep them“in trim”; 1 dessertspoon sulphurpowder, 1/2 cup linseed oil and½ cup molasses per horse perday. At this level, it was not laxative.He also swore that if hegave a dessertspoon per day ofthis mix over summer to hisworking dogs, he had no troublewith ticks.The British Veterinary Codex of1905 describes linseed oil as thefixed oil expressed from the ripeseeds of Linum usitatissimum. Italso describes the acrid tastewhich comes with the oxidationof the oil which can occur rapidlywhen exposed to high temperaturessuch as commonly occur inthe Queensland summer (this isa drawback to its use. The oxidisedoils form trans fatty acidswhich may be carcinogenic wheneaten). The Codex describes theoccasional use in dogs for coatimprovement, with the developmentof nausea: this may be dueto oxidisation of the oil, to overdose,or to the palmitic andstearic acids whose quantity canvary with the plant source. Goodquality oil is pale in colour, has abland smell, and has been keptrefrigeratedThe Linseed plant has been inuse since recorded history. Clothmade from it was found in Egyptiantombs, and Joseph’s coat ofmany colours in the Old Testament,and the shroud of JesusChrist were made from it. Interestingly,there is little referenceto it in Chinese herbal texts or inCulpepper’s book, “The CompleteHerbal” (1653), eventhough he has a whole sectionon the making of oils (Viper oil ismost interesting). Aruvedicmedicine made use of it followingthe spread of the plant in the 15-1600s, a large export trade inLinseed had developed by theend of the 19 th century (Journalof the American Oil ChemistsSociety of America Vol 8, Aug1929). In India it is called Alsi oil,and there is a fascinating articleabout traditional use in animalswhere its immune modulating,antiparasitic and skin healingproperties are described: http://www.botanical.com/site/column_poudhia/106_alsi.html.Ethno botanical history shows uswe are only just beginning to understandthe use of plant specieson a broad scale and there ismuch to be learned. Many propertiesknown to herbalists forcenturies are now being provedcorrect.

DrowninginDetail:ChoosewhatinformationyoureceivefromtheAVAMarciaBalzarGetting too many emails? Can’t find the time to read newsletters?Worried about the forests?You can now choose the information you want to receivefrom the AVA by logging on to the new website.Click on ‘Manage profile’ just underneath your name, andselect the communications tab on the left. The choices are toopt in or out of different types of information from the differentparts of the AVA you might receive communication from.For example, if you currently receive branch information butcan’t attend events, you can untick the ‘Conference andevent info’ box in the Branch column. If you never get time toread conference proceedings, you can untick those boxes.You can even opt out of receiving a printed copy of the AVJ ifyou choose! You can still access the journal online, but you’llbe doing your bit for the planet by reducing your paper consumption.When you opt out, it will be for those types of communicationsfor whatever groups you’re a member of. If you’re amember of more than one SIG it will apply to all your SIGs.Conversely, opting in to SIG or branch communications willonly have an effect if you’re already a member of a SIG orbranch.But I forgot my password!If you know your AVA username, you can ask for a new passwordinstantly from the website. Just go to www.ava.com.auand click on ‘Request new password’ in the top right handcorner.If you don’t know your username either, you can contact theAVA national office to find out. Just call 1300 137 309 oremail members@ava.com.au.What else is new?Some other great features of the new site include: Find-a-vet directory for members of the public to find practisingmembers in their neighbourhood (contact AVA nationaloffice if you’re not listed and would like to be) You can upload your Vet Ed points or download your VetEd statement via Manage profile Add an event to the AVA calendar by clicking the ‘Add anevent’ button on the home page Why be a member? shows member benefits by categoryas well as by type of veterinarian (click on the quick linkon the right side of the home page).Got more questions?Our biggest and most useful tip about the website is don’tbother looking for something, use the search box instead!The search box is on every page, and delivers usefulresults that you can filter by different content types – whetherit’s a policy, media release, event, forum topic, news item orgeneral page content. You can also filter results by date.If you have any questions, call the AVA national office duringoffice hours on 1300 137 309 or email members@ava.com.auat any time.

HorseHealthChartCompetitionWinnerDemelza Kingston

NewsfromUQStudentsDanaraBlomThis past year has seen many changes occurring for UQVet Students, the most notable of which has been thechange in location of our school. This February, staff andstudents moved from our suburban St Lucia campus, to ourmuch quieter, rural Gatton campus. Over 50% of our 450+students have relocated to Gatton Shire, doubling the campuspopulation practically overnight.Whilst not without the usual drama that accompanies sucha move, the response from students has been overwhelminglypositive. The official opening of the UQ School of VeterinaryScience was held on August 6, however studentsand staff had been using the majority of the facilities sincethe commencement of Semester 1. The Small Animal andEquine Clinics opened for business shortly after, and arenow beginning to generate a reasonable case-load.Students and staff have definitely adapted well to their newsurroundings, and have made locations such as theLockyer Valley Cultural Centre, Gatton Bowls Club, and theLawes Club (on campus) their new haunts for the hundredsof social events they have planned.The AVA has been extremely generous with their time andfinances this year, for which myself and the student bodyare extremely grateful. The AVA helped us to kick offO’week by loaning us Mark Lawrie. Mark took the time tospeak to students at the Veterinary Leadership Experience(VLE) about career choices, the upsides (and guaranteeddownsides) of studying vet science, and the freedom to gojust about anywhere with this degree. He kept things ratherhumorous with tales of his time at university, work on charity-aidprojects, working in practice, and all the side-tripsbetween.Just a few short months later Mark was back for round 2.He delivered his lecture entitled ‘Get a haircut & get a realjob’ to a phenomenal 100+ students, and was met by arather captured audience. Drinks and pizza followed, andstudents had the opportunity to mingle with Mark, and alsoget some one-on-one face time with Jodie Wilson. The nightwas a huge success, and students enjoyed networking andpicking up tips for after graduation.NativeWildlifeofAustraliaOn May 22 nd , the AVA got behind the first-ever UQ SpecialInterest Groups (SIG) Conference. Guest and studentspeakers from a variety of educational backgrounds spoketo around 100 students about their chosen interest fieldsand experiences. After a morning of lectures, with studentsjumping between the 4 stream options, we then enjoyed theAVA lunch. Afterwards, students were then able to participatein hands-on activities including the extremely popularBovine Embryo Transfer, as well as Equine Lameness, amini-VLE and a research debate/discussion.On August 2 nd , the Annual UQVSA Trade Fair presentedthe AVA with the opportunity to host a stall. Amanda Pollardand Ros Giles came along to promote AVA membership, aswell as generate interest from the students to join the Pet-PEP ranks. In all honesty, we spent most of the afternoonholding down the tent, to prevent it from flying away in the‘tornado’. The AVA tug-of-war rope, kindly donated by ReverendJohn Aspley-Davis earlier this year, was on-hand forstudents to use (it’s massive!) but unfortunately poor organisation,a badly-timed reptile talk, and the lecturers’ unwillingnessto cancel classes (we tried...) meant that almostnobody turned up for a game!! We will however, be usingthis in the future.September 25 th saw Mary-Kate and Lani (Vet II) host anAVA-sponsored lunchtime lecture for Vets Beyond Borders.Visiting veterinarian, Helen Byrnes, kindly donated her precioustime to come and speak to interested students abouther work in Gangtok, India, where she manages the SikkimAnti-Rabies and Animal Health Clinic. Her topics includedhow she came to work for Vets Beyond Borders, what thework in India is like, and how she manages to juggle herwork there (6 months of the year), alongside the businesswhich she owns in Brisbane. It was a full-house, withapprox 50 students in attendance, and all appreciated thefood and drinks which followed!The last AVA sponsored event for 2010 was the Annual VetBall, in which the AVA sponsored the shuttle buses to andfrom the event (promoting responsible drinking). The nightwas a huge success, and AVA student members appreciatedthe free transport to the event.The winner of the "NativeWildlife of Australia" categorywas Sarah Roberts,a second year BVSc student,with her remarkableshot of the Green TreeSnake (Dendrelaphispunctulata) undulatingacross a Queenslandbackyard fence. CongratulationsSarah!!Reptiles have been agrowing interest amongstthe members of the WildlifeSpecial InterestGroup at the University of Queensland, with extensive handlingcourses run throughout the year in both Brisbane andGatton.The winner of the "Exotics" category was Michelle Ooi, anothersecond year BVSc student, who entered a dazzlingphotograph of a European Honey Bee peacefully perchedupon a pinkflower on a classicspring morning.All proceedsraisedfrom the competitionwill be donatedto theAustralian ConservationFoundation.For more information on the role that UQVSA Wildlife SIGplays to involve students and the community in the biologyand conservation of wildlife - locally, nationally and internationally,please email uqvsa_wildlife@yahoo.com.au .

NewsfromJCUStudentsCallanSolariThe AVA student members have enjoyed a year of educationaland social events. The most promising feature of theyear is the continual development of the Vet School, notonly through the curriculum and facilities, but within thecommunity of students as well. The first group of graduatesare in their final weeks of university, and it is with great anticipationand excitement that the Vet School sends themout into the ‘real’ world. The following is a brief wrap up ofthe events of 2010.The highlight of the year for AVA student members was theannual AVA Rural Practitioners Weekend held in September.The main aims of the weekend were to generate interestin rural and regional veterinary practice, and to allowAVA students and to network with practicing veterinarians,as well as gaining the skills required for a successful andrewarding career in rural practice. In light of the current ruralveterinarian crisis in Australia, it is important that we asstudents are exposed to such workshops to gain the skillsand tools required to practice in rural areas, and to promoterural veterinary opportunities.The Saturday included separate Horse, Cattle and SmallAnimal Stations, and focused on topics that are integral torural and regional practice. The equine station, headed byDr Frank Condon, involved a practical ophthalmology ‘crashcourse’. Dr Geoffry Fordyce lead a workshop investigatingthe effects of nutrition on the reproductive function of cattle,with a particular focus on Northern Australia. Students weregiven the opportunity to utilise ultrasounds to evaluate ovarianstructure and condition. A teat laceration workshop waspresented by Dr Tom DeRidder, in which students wereable to develop their suturing techniques and practice insertingcannulas. Dr Libby Lynch ran the small animal station,which provided students with a thorough trauma andtoxicology workshop that highlighted the more commoncases seen in rural practice.The Saturday night saw the students and vets trade theiroveralls for some more appropriate evening wear as theyheaded to the inaugural Australian Cattle Vets Rural PractitionersDinner. An enjoyable evening was had by all andstudents were given the chance to interact with the vets ona social basis. The Sunday involved a short cattle handlingschool run by Chris Francis. The focus of the school wascrush safety and low stress stock handling in the yards.As the major event of the year for the AVA student members,it was great to see a huge response to the weekend.Although only in its second year, the annual weekend isfast becoming one of the most anticipated events of theyear.This year has seen the establishment of four special interestgroups (SIGs); cattle, equine, small animals, and exotics.Student members who have a particular interest inthese species enjoy case-based discussions on interestinglocal cases. Extra-curricular educational presentations werefrequently enjoyed by students throughout the year, particularlythose that offered pizza following the presentation.I am proud to report that student membership at JCU iscontinually increasing, and with several opportunities providedto members to further their skills and knowledge asfuture veterinarians, I am confident that membership willcontinue to follow this trend.On a personal note, my time as AVA student representativeis complete, with Sarah Tillson stepping in as the newlyelected representative. I would like to take this opportunityto thank all those at the State office who have supportedme during my time as the rep. The obvious highlight of mytenure was attending the annual AVA conference in Brisbane.The opportunity to meet leaders in our profession,and students from the various universities was somethingfor which I am very grateful.

Short BitsAmendmentIn the August issue of Queensland News we ran a report onthe Animal Hoarders Seminar 30 June 2010 (p 15). In thatreport I referred to Dr Tania Signal as a psychologist. AlthoughTania has postgraduate qualifications in psychologyand is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the Universityof Central Queensland, she is not registered to practice asa psychologist in Queensland. Therefore I made a mistakein referring to her as a psychologist.Best practice with livestock guarding dogsThe Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre hasreleased a best practice guide for managing guardian dogs,called The , to equip land managers to be self-reliant in livestockprotection against wild dogs, foxes and other predators.The use of guardian dogs has proven to be a cost effectivemeans of managing predation when applied properly. Preventingpredation reduces costs associated with pest managementexpenditures in reaction to attacks and costs oflosing livestock.“In order to get the maximum benefit from guardian dogprotection, proper training and management are crucial forthe dog’s effectiveness,” said Greg Mifsud, the InvasiveAnimals Cooperative Research Centre National Wild DogManagement Facilitator, “as with any animal, producersthinking about using guardian dogs need to devote time toensure it receives the right care and training”.Guardian dogs have also been used successfully for wildlifeprotection and conservation purposes.The manual can be downloaded fromwww.invasiveanimals.com or contact the Invasive AnimalsCooperative Research Centre, (02 6201 2887) for a hardcopy.Swine Flu in catsExperimental pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection in cats,Judith MA van den Brand et al, 2009 Emerging Infectious Diseasesserial on internet http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/16/11/1745.htmDr Peter Reid has brought this paper to our attention andnotes that pandemic (H1N1) influenza ("Swine Flu") viruscan infect and cause respiratory disease in cats, and is capableof being transmitted to cats from humans, and fromcats to humans. Highly pathogenic H5N1avain influ-enza strains can also infect cats, but this is not the case forthe human seasonal influenza H3N2 strains.Support required...The Delta Society is seeking support in cash or kind. TheSociety in Australia specializes in therapy and classroomdogs. You can access their newsletter onwww.deltasociety.com.auThe Wild Dog Management Strategy 2010—2015This strategy is available as a consultation draft fromWildDog@deedi.qld.gov.auFeral Deer Strategy...Dr Frank Keenan, A/Manager, Policy and Strategy, InvasivePlants and Animals, Biosecurity Queensland advises thatthe feral deer strategy has just been released for consultation.Go to http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/4790_18834.htmIn MemoriamLionel Laws—Qld Division President 1971Lionel Laws passed away at home 30 September 2010,aged eighty. Lionel had an extensive career in the formerDepartment of Primary Industries with positions including:1960 - 1961 Officer In Charge - Animal Health Station,Oonoonba1969 - 1979 Director, Husbandry Research Branch basedat ARI1979 - 1988 Deputy Director, Division of Animal Industries1986 - 1988 Director Animal Laboratories.Lionel was active in many research areas and made a majorcontribution to the State’s understanding of the epidemiologyof melioidosis in animals in North Queensland. Hisanimal health research with colleagues such as Jean Elder,Sam Hall and Geoff Simmons covered sheep infertility, bovinemastitis and plant toxicities.In his role at the Husbandry Research Branch, Lionelworked in areas of cattle and sheep nutrition and aspects ofmanagement - working with colleagues such as Rolf Gartner,Bill Gulbransen, Peter Hopkins, Cam McPhee and KenMoir. Lionel gained great industry respect during his longterm as Chair of the Advisory Committee for Swan's LagoonResearch Station and amongst those that knew him,he was universally regarded as ‘one of nature’s gentlemen’.John AubreyJohn Nicolson Aubrey BVSc MACVSc OAM passed awayearly September, aged 84 years. John was a stalwart ofthe Association, a pioneer of the profession, a widely likedand respected mentor for young veterinarians, among thefirst to provide veterinary services to the extensive areas ofthe north, and an iconic North Queenslander. John alsoenjoyed life enthusiastically, with a tendency to lead hiscolleagues astray, but this tendency was kept in check byhis warm hearted wife Nancy.

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DivisionsResearch and EducationBe part of theprofessionJoin AVA...and see the difference!IndustryBranchesGovernment andSpecialInterest GroupsMembersAVA MembershipA “Graduate Concession” on membership isavailable to newly graduated veterinarians.Special Interest Groups (SIGs)AAV (Alpaca)AVAG (Acupuncture)AVCB (ConservationBiologists)AVBIG (Animal Behaviourists)AAVMA (Avian) AVDS (Dental)ACV (Cattle)AVI (Industry)AGVA (Greyhound) AVHS (History)AHV (Holistic)AVPA (Poultry)APV (Pig)AVPH (Public Health)ARV (Reproduction) AVPMA (Practice Management)ASAVA (Small Animals) EVA (Equine)ASV (Sheep)UEP (Unusual & Exotic Pets)AVAWE (Animal Welfare & Ethics)All AVA Branches are FREEThis is the best way to network with the veterinariansaround your geographical area; you are free to chooseas many branches as you want. The following areAVA branches available in Queensland:Brisbane Veterinary Practitioners BranchCentral Queensland BranchDarling Downs & South West BranchNorth BranchSouth East Queensland BranchSunshine Coast Branch Access to AVA helplines and advice services- HR Advisory Service- Telephone Counselling Service- Accounting, Finance and Super Helpline- Commercial Legal Helpline New Graduate Guide New Graduate Friendly Practice (NGFP)Accreditation Scheme Australian Veterinary Journal (Yearly Subscription) Conference and other AVA events (where applicable) Access to all areas of the AVA websiteveterinary titles through the AVA bookshop.The Australian Veterinary Association I www.ava.com.au I ABN 63 008 522 852The Publisher, The Australian Veterinary Association Queensland Division,does not hold itself responsible for the statements made in AVA Qld Newsby contributors or advertisers. Unless so stated, material in AVA Qld Newsdoes not reflect the endorsement, official attitude or position of the AustralianVeterinary Association or the Honorary Editor. Advertisers are responsiblefor complying with the Trade Practices Act 1974 as amended.The Australian Veterinary AssociationQueensland DivisionGarden City Office Park3/2404 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains QLD 4113Tel: 07 3423 1844 Fax: 07 3423 1505Email: avaqld@ava.com.au