News
DPI: CVO Bulletin - Commencement of the Biosecurity Act 2015 06 July 2017
Notifiable pests and diseases of animals: commencement of the Biosecurity Act 2015.
The Biosecurity Act 2015 (the Act) commenced on July 1, 2017.
The Act replaces a number of pieces of legislation including the Stock Diseases Act 1923 (which previously covered the regulation of notifiable pests and diseases of animals in NSW), and the Animal Diseases and Animal Pests (Emergency Outbreaks) Act 1991 (which previously covered the regulation...
VPB: Further update - potential cat food toxicity or deficiency 24 May 2017
Over the past three weeks we have alerted veterinarians to reports of cats showing a combination of cerebellar and vestibular signs, as a potential association with the feeding of BFF brand cat food. We thank veterinarians for their diligent reporting of suspect cases through PetFAST, and continue to encourage reports to be logged, to enable further monitoring of this situation.
In addition to unusual neurologic signs, a number of other clinical signs have been frequently reported through PetFAST. These include pyrexia, gastrointestinal disturbances and body cavity effusions with or without neurologic signs.
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Research: Updated Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing 22 May 2017
Skills Impact is undertaking a project on behalf of the Rural and Related Industry Reference Committee and funded by the Australian Industry Skills Committee to update the existing nationally accredited qualifications in veterinary nursing.
This project has involved consultations with industry and establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee made up of veterinary nurses and veterinarians.
Please complete the short 5 question Skills Impact survey so that the perspective of veterinarians/employers can be incorporated with this project.
Skills Impact Survey: ...
DPI learning: Small Holder courses aimed at vets 18 May 2017
1 - Webinar 18th May 2017 - Biosecurity and small holders - details are at www.ava.com.au/event/avph-webinar-series-biosecurity-and-smallholders
2 - Workshop...
DPI Research: Communication preferences for biosecurity information survey 18 May 2017
The Australian National University science communication researchers are kindly asking registered veterinary practitioners within Australia to fill out a short online survey (which should take no longer than 10 minutes) about their communication preferences in regards to receiving animal biosecurity information.
SURVEY LINK - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vetbiosecurityinfo
Updating veterinary practitioners on the latest biosecurity information relating to domestic and exotic animal health and disease alerts...
VPB: Further update - potential cat food toxicity treatment advice 12 May 2017
Last week we alerted veterinarians to a small number of reports of cats showing a combination of cerebellar and vestibular signs, which could be related to a pet food toxicity or deficiency.
At this stage we would like to advise to treat any cats presenting with anorexia and neurologic signs with Thiamine (100 mg once daily PO, SC or IM for at least 7 days) as a precautionary measure.
We are still requesting that veterinarians submit any suspect cases through to us using the PetFAST reporting scheme which is available for reporting of any potential pet food related adverse effects.
See...
VPB: Reports of potential cat food toxicity 09 May 2017
The AVA have become aware of a small number of reports of cats showing a combination of cerebellar and vestibular signs. The issue could be related to a pet food toxicity or deficiency, and this is being investigated.
At this stage, we have no definitive proof of toxicity (or deficiency) and the issue is only a potential association with the feeding of BFF brand cat food. Petbarn have acted very quickly to withdraw the food from sale, pending laboratory testing.
We are particularly interested in cats that have cerebellar and/or vestibular signs as...
DPI: Laboratory Services Terms and Conditions 11 April 2017
Introduction of Terms and Conditions for testing with NSW DPI Laboratory Services
NSW DPI Laboratory Services offers a range of services including veterinary and plant health diagnostics, edible oil testing and animal feed testing. We conduct over 300,000 diagnostic and analytical tests a year for our customers in NSW, Australia and overseas, as well as being responsive to assist in biosecurity emergency events.
The introduction of Terms and Conditions for the testing services offered by...
Research: Survey – Mental health risk and how vets relate to clients and colleagues 06 April 2017
Various workplace factors are known to affect the mental health and wellbeing of vets. This study seeks to investigate how vets relate to their colleagues and clients, and aspects of these relationships that protect or harm vets’ mental health.
This survey closes on 15 July 2017.
It is anticipated this research will provide important practical contributions for vet practices which include:
- 1. Informing vets on suicide risk.
- 2. Guidance on structuring suicide early prevention strategies for practitioners.
- 3. Developing training to facilitate...
VPB: Problematic parvoviruses 07 March 2017
Feline panleukopenia has re-emerged in NSW with confirmed outbreaks in Sydney at multiple animal rescue facilities since January 2017.
With the widespread availability of vaccines for decades, there have been no epidemics reported in NSW in the last 30 to 40 years. The disease has mostly struck shelter-housed, unvaccinated kittens.
Canine parvoviruses 2a-2c can infect cats and have occasionally been reported to cause panleukopenia in cats, but no canine isolates have been detected so far in the current outbreak. Sequencing of isolates at Professor Vanessa Barrs’ laboratory at the University of Sydney has confirmed that...