In this episode, we dive into Johne’s disease, a persistent challenge in dairy herds which can be costly to both the farms bottom line, as well as its devastating impact on animal health. Virbac technical veterinarian Ellen Eyre is joined by LIC veterinary epidemiologist Kara Dawson and scientist Rebecca White, as they break down the latest research from LIC milk testing as well as the theory around minimising the impact of Johne's disease in dairy herds. Together, they discuss advancements in milk testing, insights from years of data, and strategies for disease management that drive both animal health and economic resilience. Later, fourth-generation dairy farmer Brendon O’Leary offers a practical look at how these tools work on the ground, giving vets and farmers alike real-world advice on implementing effective practices.

To contact Kara or Rebecca:

[email protected]

[email protected]

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

ACVM Registration Nos. A010028 and A009374.

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

• Urfer SR, Kaeberlein M. Desexing Dogs: A Review of the Current Literature. Animals (Basel). 2019 Dec 5;9(12):1086. doi: 10.3390/ani9121086. PMID: 31817504; PMCID: PMC6940997.

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

• Closed reduction of dislocated hips: Getting the clunk

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

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

• Equine Emergencies Textbook

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

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

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

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

1. Available to all NZVA members, the Avian and Wildlife health guidelines, policy, and resources can be found here. This includes bat care advice for first responders and vets, as well as advice for managing emaciated seabirds.