Results of a survey of pig producers identified a need for a more uniform message to producers from government agencies on the importance of the PigPass tracing system, and for targeted education for those supplying pigs to saleyards and domestic abattoirs to ensure compliance with the traceability requirements.1 Tracking and identifying animal movements is essential for containment of disease or tracing of carcase contamination. A new paper-based traceability and food safety system, the PigPass national vendor declaration, linked to an on-farm quality assurance (QA) program, was introduced in Australia in 2006. Its implementation was evaluated in May and December 2007 at saleyards and abattoirs in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Researchers collected the PigPass forms and conducted four focus group discussions with sale yard producers. Results showed that accurate completion of the PigPass form and QA accreditation was higher at the export abattoir than at the regional saleyard during the first audit. By the second audit, implementation had increased at the abattoirs, but there was little change at saleyards. About half of the producers at saleyards used photocopied PigPass forms, over 60% made at least one error and many vendors did not appear to be QA-accredited. Producers were of the view that the PigPass system had the potential to improve animal and product traceability, and to maintain vendor records at saleyards, but all felt that implementation was not supported adequately by government or industry. The authors conclude that implementation of PigPass among producers marketing pigs at export abattoirs had improved over the 8-month period of the study. In an update to their study, they note that information is now more accessible because of the developments of an online PigPass system, a helpdesk and preparation of extension material. Results showing a daily rhythm of secretion of urea and the majority of electrolytes in serum and saliva highlights the potential role of saliva as an additional non-invasive marker for physiological, clinical, nutritional and chronophysiological studies, this study suggests.2 Saliva is used in human medicine as a non-invasive method of detecting biomarkers The aim of this study was to determine the diurnal rhythms of serum and salivary urea and electrolytes in goats. It included 10 non-gravid, non-lactating does that had a 30-day preconditioning period followed by collection of saliva and blood samples every 4 h for 2 days. There was a significant effect of time on all the studied parameters in saliva and serum, with diurnal patterns of serum and salivary acrophases. No circadian rhythmicity was found for bicarbonate, magnesium or potassium in saliva or serum. Calcium had a circadian pattern in the serum but no rythmicity in the saliva. The risk of nuisance barking is greater for a young dog of the herding type that was home bred and has free access to the house and is in a multiple dog household, results of a survey suggest.3 Frequent vocalisation may be normal for some dogs. The problem of nuisance barking reflects the human opinion of the behaviour, and the rising prevalence reflects increasing urbanisation. This survey identified the key features that influence nuisance barking by dogs in subtropical Brisbane, Queensland. It was a case-control survey that used a questionnaire in 176 owners of dogs exhibiting nuisance barking that were obtained from a list of dogs being treated in a behaviour clinic, and those of 86 control dogs, selected from a telephone directory. Univariate analysis showed that animal, owner and environmental factors all potentially influence the nuisance barking. Multivariate analysis showed significant odds ratios (OR) for young compared with old dogs (OR 11.2); multiple compared to single dogs in the household (OR 5.6); whether the dog was home bred or was obtained from breeder or friend (OR 4.0); whether the dog was a herding compared with other types (OR 3.2); and dogs with free access to the home compared with those without (OR 2.5). The authors discuss the behavioural basis of their findings. The clipping method and anatomical site should be standardised in transepidermal water loss measurement in dogs, in order to minimise experimental variation, this study suggests.4 Measurement of water loss through the skin, or transepidermal water loss, estimates the ability of the skin to retain moisture, and is used in dermatological research and as a measure of skin barrier health. This study aimed to establish a standardised clipping method for the measurement and to identify the optimal site for of transepidermal water loss in dogs. Transepidermal water loss was measured in five healthy Beagle dogs at seven anatomical sites that had differing hair density. The hair was clipped using two different blade angles in the intensively haired sites of head, lower and upper back and tail. The sparsely haired sites of ear, inguinal region and footpad were not clipped. Results showed that measurements varied between sites and clipping methods, as the clippers may damage the epidermis. The author concluded that the upper back was the most appropriate site for measurement over 48 h after clipping. The ears were the most appropriate of the unclipped sites as measurements had the least fluctuation and were less affected by movement. This case report shows effective combined stabilisation techniques for a cervical fracture in which dorsal, middle and ventral structures of the vertebra were severely disrupted.5 A 2-year-old, male Pointer dog was admitted following a motor vehicle accident. Clinical examination showed non-ambulatory tetraparesis, severe neck pain, upper motor neuron changes in all limbs, and a deep pain response. Radiographic examination showed subluxation of C2–C3 and fractures of the dorsal spinous process and lamina of C2. The authors give detailed description, photographs and X-rays of the stabilisation methods used. Ventral stabilisation was performed using screws and polymethylmethacrylate bone cement, and dorsal fixation used screws and cerclage wire. The dog stood up independently after 1 month postoperatively, was able to walk after 1.5 months and was able to run normally during hunting 1 year following surgery. Feline idiopathic facial dermatitis is known as a difficult dermatosis to manage successfully, but results of this case report suggest that it may respond to topical tacrolimus.6 It is a facial skin disorder, seen rarely in Persian and Himalayan cats, and no effective therapy has been developed. This case report describes a 3-year-old, neutered male Persian cat with chronic ulcerative facial dermatitis that was diagnosed with feline idiopathic facial dermatitis based on clinical signs, history, and diagnostic test results, including dermatohistopathological examination. The authors discuss the alternative differential diagnosis of cutaneous lupus. Initial treatment started with 4 weeks of oral antifungal/antibiotic medication for severe secondary infectious dermatitis of Malassezia and bacteria. As the lesions gradually improved, the oral antifungal/antibiotic medication was withdrawn, leaving 0.1% topical tacrolimus ointment for the remaining lesions, and in case any new lesions developed. Treatments were effective and no side-effects were observed during treatment. The authors recommend that a controlled trial should be pursued to confirm their results. The authors of this review propose that novel standards should be devised and implemented for baboons used for xenotransplantation, and that minor changes to existing pig welfare appraisal schemes could make then suitable for assessing the welfare of experimental pigs.7 Xenotransplantation involves the transfer of cells tissues or organs from one species to another. Non-human primates are being used as recipient species to develop techniques for human medicine, and pigs are the commonest donor species. Non-human primates are not used as source species, because of the increased risk of transfer of disease. The authors review the difficulties of maintaining optimum health status in research laboratories, while trying to ensure that enclosures include adequate environmental enrichment, as well as the welfare implications of procedures that may cause stress and discomfort. The authors make recommendations on housing, environmental conditions, enrichment, social structure and immunity, and behavioural assessments of welfare in these animals.