BackgroundManagement of pain is critical to improve the welfare of farmed livestock and meet consumer expectations. There is limited published information about the use of analgesic drugs in the sheep sector.MethodsA mixed‐method approach was followed. The range of analgesic drugs used on 52 Northern Irish sheep farms was determined through analysis of medicine purchase records. Through interview and discussion groups, with both farmer and veterinarian participants, attitudes towards the use and adoption of such medicines were explored.ResultsThe use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was widespread and highly variable. One‐third of farmers in the sample did not purchase any NSAID. Meloxicam was the most commonly purchased NSAID by mass (72%) and standardised dose (73%). During interviews and discussions, farmers outlined the benefits they saw in using NSAIDs and how veterinarians influenced their uptake of these medicines. Use of corticosteroid was evidenced on 50% of the farms that supplied medicine records for analysis.ConclusionsVeterinarians can influence farmers to adopt NSAIDs for the provision of analgesia in their sheep and farmers observed the benefits they delivered. However, many farmers are still to be reached with this message, perhaps due to being largely self‐sufficient and rarely engaging with veterinarians. Veterinarians have the opportunity to challenge farmers about the provision of analgesia, especially when farmers seek antibiotics for painful conditions such as lameness. Currently, the lack of an authorised product in the UK, with associated treatment guidance and industry promotion, may limit veterinarians’ confidence in prescribing drugs for pain control in sheep.

BackgroundNon‐human animals are natural hosts for the virus causing COVID‐19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS‐CoV‐2]) and a diversity of species appear susceptible to infection. Cats are of particular concern because of their close affiliation with humans and susceptibility to infection. Cats also harbour feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). Our objectives were to document the prevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 and FECV in feline populations with high turnover and movement among households in the Central Valley of California, USA.MethodsA cross‐sectional study of 128 shelter and foster cats and kittens in the Central Valley of California was performed from July to December 2020. PCR was performed on rectal and oropharyngeal samples to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA and on rectal samples to detect FECV RNA.ResultsAmong 163 rectal and oropharyngeal fluid samples gathered from sheltered and fostered cats and kittens in central California, SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acids were not detected from any cat or kitten. In contrast, FECV nucleic acids were detected in 18% of shelter‐housed cats; 83% of these positive samples were collected from cats housed in adjacent cages.ConclusionsThese data may be helpful when considering the allocation of resources to minimise the harm of FECV and SARS‐CoV‐2 in household pets and shelter environments.

IntroductionDog bites continue to be a serious public health issue due to their association with the transmission of rabies virus. In Kenya, there are no studies estimating dog‐bite incidence. Annual mortalities resulting from dog‐mediated rabies are estimated at 523 (95% confidence interval 134–1100). The main objective of this study was to assess major risk factors associated with dog bites in Kitui South subcounty, Kenya, between 2017 and 2021.MethodsWe recruited 387 dog‐bite patients (cases) and 387 non‐bite patients (controls) for the case–control study from the Mutomo Mission Hospital and the Ikutha Level 4 Hospital records. Multivariable logistic regression analysis evaluated the association between risk factors and dog‐bite cases. In the final model, pairwise interactions among variables were evaluated. The model fit was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics and area under the curve.ResultsThe study found that the dog‐bite incidence was highest in Kanziko ward in Kitui South subcounty. Fifty‐one percent (108 bites) of dog‐bite victims were children under 15 years of age, with 53% (N = 68) being men and 36% (N = 77) being bitten on the limbs. Dog bites mostly (44%, N = 93) occurred between October and December (short rainy season). Age group and season were identified as the most significant variables for high dog‐bite incidence in Kitui South subcounty.ConclusionsPromotion of responsible dog ownership and reinforcement of dog control policies may prove more effective in reducing dog‐bite injuries in Kitui South subcounty.

BackgroundAnimal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland has been enrolling dairy herds across Northern Ireland (NI) in a voluntary Johne's disease (JD) control programme since October 2020. A Veterinary Risk Assessment and Management Plan (VRAMP) questionnaire was completed for each herd enrolled and recommendations for improved farm management practices were provided to farmers. Herd JD testing was recommended but was not mandatory.MethodsThis study analysed VRAMP responses for 1569 dairy herds that had enrolled in the JD control programme up to October 2022. Univariate and multivariate regression models were applied to the data as appropriate.ResultsOverall, 21.4% of the dairy herds had completed herd JD screening, with 13.7% of herds reporting a confirmed case of JD. A further 31.5% of herds reported suspected case(s) of JD. Eighty‐nine percent of farms had introduced animals from outside the herd. Herds that utilise a mixed calving pen and hospital pen, and herds that do not separate JD‐positive or sick animals within the calving pen, were significantly (p > 0.001) more likely to be a high‐probability JD herd. Accidental mixing of neighbouring herds significantly (p = 0.01) increased the risk of a suspected or confirmed case of JD. Herds that utilise rented land (70%) were significantly (p > 0.001) more likely to be at a high risk for JD.ConclusionsThe VRAMP analysis identified areas of JD control that should be focused on in NI dairy herds, such as calving pen management and hygiene. The results highlight the importance of common JD recommendations in the management of on‐farm disease risk.

AimsThis retrospective study aimed to report clinical findings, treatment response and survival in cats diagnosed with precursor‐targeted immune‐mediated anaemia (PIMA) in a referral hospital in the UK.MethodsFeline cases diagnosed with presumed PIMA between January 2010 and February 2021 were retrospectively recruited. Signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic tests, treatment and outcome were recorded. Descriptive analytics were performed. Outcomes were documented according to survival to discharge, 30‐day survival, total survival time, response to immunosuppressive treatment and frequency of relapses.ResultsThirty cats met the inclusion criteria. A higher prevalence of females (19/30) was identified (p = 0.001). Most cats (25/30) presented with haematocrit below 0.15 L/L. Concurrent cytopenias occurred in 18 of 30 cats. Bone marrow diagnosis was erythroid hyperplasia in 24 of 30 cases. Survival to discharge was documented in 26 of 30 cats, of which 23 survived more than 30 days since diagnosis. Initial treatment included blood products (26/30) and prednisolone (26/30) or prednisolone with ciclosporin (3/30); 18 of 30 cats responded to treatment, with a normal haematocrit at a mean of 28 days. The initial haematocrit and the presence of concurrent cytopenia were not statistically different between responders and non‐responders. The median survival time was 140 days (range 1–3930 days).Conclusions and relevanceThe treatment response rate of feline PIMA was high (60%), with a mortality rate of 23% over the 30 days following diagnosis. Relapses occur frequently (77%) but the response rate after treatment modification was high (76%) and therefore ongoing treatment may be justified at that point. Long survival times (up to 3930 days) can be achieved.

BackgroundTail inspection in the abattoir is a tool to help determine the welfare status of pigs. However, methodologies vary widely. Moreover, meat inspection is moving from palpation and incision towards visual‐only (VIS) examination. This study investigated whether a VIS examination was sufficient to detect tail damage compared to handling (HAND), which ensures examination of all aspects of the tail.MethodThe severity of tail skin damage (0 [undamaged] – 4 [partial/full loss of tail]) and presence/absence of bruises was scored using both methods after scalding/dehairing of 5498 pig carcasses.ResultsThere was a good relationship between methods when evaluating tail skin damage (sensitivity, 82.48%; specificity, 99.98%; accuracy, 98.98%; correlation ρ = 0.84). The results were similar for the presence of bruises (sensitivity, 74.98%; specificity, 99.09%; accuracy, 89.94%; correlation ρ = 0.79). However, the percentage of tails classified as undamaged was higher using VIS (69.9%) than HAND (63.55%) examination. Conversely, VIS detected fewer mild lesions (score 1 – 13.64%; score 2 – 11.73%) than HAND (score 1 – 15.21%; score 2 – 15.53%). A higher percentage of bruises was detected using HAND than VIS (37.96% vs. 29.03%).ConclusionsVisual evaluation is a valid alternative to handling evaluation of carcass tail damage and bruising.

ObjectivesDistinguishing bacterial cystitis from subclinical bacteriuria is necessary for feline treatment protocols and antimicrobial stewardship. This can be challenging in cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) systems because they may present with lower urinary tract signs without bacteriuria. We investigated the relationship between positive urine culture and lower urinary tract signs in cats with SUBs, including factors associated with each.MethodsClinical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify cats presenting with ureteral obstruction that underwent placement of a SUB device(s). The relationship between a positive urine culture and lower urinary tract signs was determined by chi‐squared analysis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to identify factors associated with positive urine cultures and lower urinary tract signs.ResultsTwo hundred and thirty visits were recorded for 61 cats, with 36 of 230 (16%) positive cultures in 21 of 61 (34%) cats. Lower urinary tract signs were documented at 97 of 230 (42%) visits, with 37 of 61 (61%) cats demonstrating lower urinary tract signs at some point. No relationship was found between culture results and lower urinary tract signs. Risk factors for a positive culture were higher urine pH, higher urine white blood cells and the presence of bacteriuria on microscopy. Risk factors for lower urinary tract signs were younger age and being a purebred cat (vs. non‐purebred).ConclusionsA high proportion of cats with SUBs exhibited sterile lower urinary tract signs, making differentiation between bacterial cystitis and subclinical bacteriuria difficult. This highlights the need for clearer guidelines on when to treat bacteriuria in cats with SUBs.

Biosecurity is important in preventing the spread of infectious diseases in animal production. Previous studies have identified a disparity between the biosecurity recommendations provided by veterinarians and the actual practices implemented by farmers. This study compared group discussions with a few key actors among Swedish pig veterinarians and farmers on pig farm biosecurity. Two focus group discussions were conducted, one with five Swedish pig veterinarians and one with three pig farmers, to explore their views on pig farm biosecurity and efficient biosecurity measures. The discussions were analysed to identify differences and similarities in how biosecurity was perceived. The study identified differences between the veterinarians and pig farmers in how they perceived good biosecurity and the level of biosecurity in Swedish pig herds. The veterinarians perceived that adhering strictly to the farming system and its barriers was essential for good biosecurity. The biosecurity in the pig farms was often considered inadequate. The veterinarians described difficulties in biosecurity-related communication with the farmers. The pig farmers valued the flexibility of the farming system over strict barriers and described that the level of biosecurity was good in Swedish pig herds. However, both groups also shared similar views regarding the challenges in farm biosecurity. They highlighted that biosecurity measures with proven efficacy are important for farmer motivation. This limited study suggested that different perspectives on biosecurity can contribute to communication difficulties between pig farmers and veterinarians. Acknowledging both the differences and similarities of the different perspectives may help improve cooperation and communication in biosecurity-related questions.

BackgroundThere is limited published information to guide the clinical management of bacterial meningitis/encephalitis in dogs.MethodsThis was a retrospective case series comprising 10 French bulldogs from two referral centres. The cases were diagnosed with bacterial meningitis/encephalitis suspected secondary to otogenic infection based on detection of abnormal fluid/soft tissue opacity within the middle/inner ear, associated meningeal/intracranial involvement through MRI, the findings of cerebro‐spinal fluid (CSF) analysis suggestive of sepsis and/or clinical improvement following antibiosis.ResultsTen dogs were included (three female and seven male), with a median age of 60 months. Dogs presented with acute onset (median 2 days), progressive history of vestibular signs and/or intra‐oral or cervical pain. Five dogs had gross signs of concurrent otitis externa. Common MRI findings included material within the tympanic bulla with adjacent meningeal enhancement. Analysis of CSF documented pleocytosis in all eight dogs, intracellular bacteria seen in three with positive bacteriological culture in two dogs. One dog was euthanised following diagnosis. Nine remaining dogs received antimicrobial therapy and six underwent surgical management. Three dogs treated surgically were neurologically normal within 2 weeks and the remaining three improved. Two dogs treated medically improved and one had complete resolution reported within a 4‐week follow‐up period. Study limitations include its retrospective nature and small sample size with minimal longer term follow‐up.ConclusionsBacterial meningitis/encephalitis in French bulldogs can require both medical and surgical treatment to achieve a favourable outcome.