SANDY WELTANClinical history:Three smears were received from skin scrapings from cattle with diffuse skin lesions. The lesions were widely distributed but were particularly severe on the white areas of the skin (Figure 1). Laboratory findings:On cytology, the cellularity was high in all the smears and consisted of keratinocytes in a background of erythrocytes. Moderate numbers of […]
Calf screening in dairy herds aims to identify and remove persistently infected (PI) animals before they can infect any pregnant cows.An ideal time to sample calves is during tagging or disbudding. The antigen ELISA is a suitable test to use on ear notch samples for animals in this age group. PCR is a suitable test […]
LISA HULME-MOIRThis recent case highlights the importance of blood film examinations and illustrates how diagnoses may be missed if relying on in-clinic analyser counts alone.Clinical history:A blood sample from a 9-year-old male Labrador cross was submitted for blood film examination after presenting lethargic, off his food and with a temperature of 40.5°C. His popliteal lymph […]
LAWRENCE MCMURTRYWe often get asked why we recommend not refrigerating (or even chilling) faeces requiring a culture for third-stage nematode larvae or when looking for stage-one lungworm larvae.Cold storage of faeces can affect the development and composition of parasites in larval cultures and extraction of lungworm.Third-stage larval culturesOvine nematode species are affected to varying degrees […]
SUNAO FUJITAClinical history:A 16-year-old, thoroughbred gelding presented with a slow growing mass in the left ventral thoracic/axillar region, extending into deep tissue (Figure 1). The mass was firm and non-mobile and had been present for six months, but had not changed in size.Cytology:The smears were of high cellularity, predominantly composed of spindle cells with moderate […]
KAREN BAILEYMove over Corona – monkeypox is the hot new zoonosis in town! New Zealand recently recorded its first human cases of monkeypox in the latest zoonotic outbreak to hit the headlines. Following are a few facts about monkeypox and how it manifests in animals and humans.Monkeypox belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family […]
Equilibrium dialysis (ED) is considered the gold standard methodology when measuring Free-T4 in dogs and cats.Recent reports indicate that alternative methods for measuring Free-T4 may not offer any significant advantage over measuring TT4 alone, especially in dogs with non-thyroidal illness.*Despite recent logistical issues and increased costs, Gribbles Veterinary will continue to offer this valuable diagnostic […]
CRISTINA GANSGetting a diagnosis in an abortion outbreak can be challenging. Less than 50% of abortions investigated result in a diagnosis. A variety of tests are available at Gribbles Veterinary (including PCR, histology, microbiology and serology) which enhances our ability to obtain a diagnosis. However, this can also be confusing in terms of sample collection.To […]
CRISTINA GANSClinical history:A five-year-old, female Rottweiler/ Labrador cross presented for a routine ovariohysterectomy. During the surgery a 5cm mass was identified in the left ovary. The entire uterus and both ovaries were submitted for histopathology.Post-mortem findings:After formalin fixation of the tissue, incision into the ovarian mass, revealed a mixture of tissues including adipose and fibrous […]
ROBYN WINTERSBlood cells begin to degenerate as soon as they leave the body, and continue to do so in the sample tube. Blood cells from different species degenerate at different rates. For example, bovine and rabbit blood cells degenerate particularly quickly, but horse’s cells do not.By the time we receive the bloods in the laboratory, […]