An exploration of attitudes towards pedigree dogs and their disorders as expressed by a sample of companion animal veterinarians in New Zealand

Aims: To explore veterinary perception of pedigree dogs within New Zealand, with particular focus on inherited disorders and how these affect animal health and welfare. Methods: An online questionnaire was distibuted to members of the Companian Animal Society (CAS) of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) using an online survey system. Data were analysed using SPSS predictive analytical software v21.0 for Windows (IBM Inc., Chicago IL, USA). Responses which were incomplete or ambiguous were classified as missing. Results were considered significant if p≤0.05. Results: The most commonly identified breeds were Boxer, German Shepherd (GSD), Bulldog, Shar Pei, West Highland White Terrier (WHWT), and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS). The most commonly identified inherited disorders were Hip dysplasia, Elbow dysplasia, Atopy, Skin problems, Cardiac disease, and Brachycephalic syndromes. Veterinarians felt little had changed in the attitudes of breeders and owners of pedigree dogs toward inherited disorders, and that legislative change was unlikely to decrease the prevalence of inherited disorders in pedigree dogs. Veterinarians possessed a strong sense of obligation to treat the problems arising from inherited disorders, and to try to prevent propagation of inherited disorder through breeding advisement. Veterinarians gave a number of suggestions to decrease the prevalence of inherited disorders with in pedigree dogs. Conclusion: Inherited disorders appear to be a significant issue in a number of pedigree breeds in New Zealand, though the breed-disorder associations identified by veterinarians in New Zealand occasionally differ from those within the literature. This may reflect a unique New Zealand context resulting from being a geographically (and genetically) isolated country. Veterinarians are concerned about inherited disorders in pedigree dogs, seem supportive of measures to improve the welfare of pedigree dogs, and appear motivated to assist in decreasing the prevalence of inherited disorders. Uncertainties remain over how veterinarians assess the importance of inherited disorders, and how this may impact advice given to breeders and clients. Further exploration of inherited disorders in the specific New Zealand context would be beneficial. Clinical Relevance: The prevalence and perceived importance of inherited disorders will impact how the clinician advises his/her clients. An understanding of the most common breed-associated inherited disorders, and how these impact animal health and welfare is critical to provide prudent guidance to pedigree breeders and dog owners in clinical practice

Use and perception of collars for companion cats in New Zealand

Aims: To investigate public perceptions of the use of collars for companion cats in New Zealand. To understand perceptions around safety and efficacy of collar use. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to members of the public via social media. The questionnaire collected details of respondents, cat ownership status, and responses to a number of questions regarding collar use in cats. Data were analysed using SPSS analytical software v21.0 for Windows (IBM Inc., Chicago IL, USA). Results were considered significant if p≤0.05. Results: A total of 512 responses were collected, 393 (76.9%) respondents reported owning at least one cat at the time of survey, of which 141 (36.4%) stated that at least some of their cats wore collars and 211 (54%) had at least one of their cats micro-chipped. Of the respondents with a pet cat, 351 (90%) allowed their cats outdoor access at least some of the time. Respondents 20 used collars for identification, and to reduce predation of birds and other animals. Reasons for not using collars included cat intolerance of collars, repeated collar loss and concern over collar safety. Respondents felt collars could cause injury if caught on objects, or if too tight, and many believed ‘not all cats will tolerate a collar’. Significant differences were found between cat owners and non-owners regarding whether cats were important for pest control; whether cats will tolerate collars; whether being well fed influences cat hunting behaviour; whether cats should be kept indoors at night; and whether a cat without a collar was likely to be a stray. Respondents trusted veterinarians and the SPCA most as sources of pet care information. Conclusion: Collar use for companion cats in New Zealand appeared to be low. Cat owners perceived a number of barriers to the use of collars which may be imagined, or result from incorrect use. Collars may be useful for improving animal welfare allowing rapid identification , improved rates of returns to owners and prompt medical interventions in the case of injury. Collars with attached devices such as bells are also useful to reduce the impact of domestic cats on both native and introduced wildlife, and may improve public perceptions of stray/wandering cats. Relevance: A number of concerns have been raised in recent years about the negative impacts of cats on New Zealand’s natural environment, and the possibility of poor welfare among unowned cats. Understanding the perceived importance of cat collars and exploration of the perceived barriers to their use are vital to enhance our understanding of cat ownership, cat identification and impact of cat predation. This understanding can help to guide development of policies and practices to improve animal welfare, reduce the negative impact of pet predation, and promote responsible pet ownership

Veterinary provision of analgesia for domestic cats (Felis catus) undergoing gonadectomy: a comparison of samples from New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom

AIM: To compare the use and provision of analgesia to cats undergoing gonadectomy by a sample of veterinarians in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. METHODS: Small animal veterinarians’ views and practices on provision of analgesia to cats at three different time phases (pre/intra-operatively, post-operatively and post-discharge) were gathered using an electronic questionnaire. Respondents were also asked to state the pharmacological agent(s) used and the dosage rate(s). Differences in provision of analgesia were assessed relative to the respondent using binary logistic regression. The effects of sex of the patient and time of provision were explored using McNewar’s Test and Cochran’s Q respectively. Differences between drug types used amongst countries was tested using a cross-tabulation. RESULTS: There were 717 responses to the survey. Of these 249 (34.7%) were from New Zealand, 269 (37.5%) were from the UK and 199 (27.8%) from Australia. The prevalence of analgesia provision declined across the three different time phases for spaying and castration (both p<0.001). Provision of analgesia for castration was less than for spaying at each of the pre/intra-operative (p=0.002), post-operative (p<0.001) and after discharge (p<0.001) phases. Post-operative provision of analgesia following both castration (p<0.001) and spaying (p<0.001) differed amongst countries of practice. Veterinarians in Australia and New Zealand were more likely to provide post-operative analgesia for both castration and spaying than those from the UK (p<0.001). Veterinarians from the UK more commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in the pre/intra-operative phase (p<0.001) than veterinarians from either New Zealand or Australia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Contemporary use of analgesics for cats appears focused on provision at clinic and may not address the effects of surgery beyond the first 24 hours. The UK, Australia and New Zealand clearly differ in the types of analgesia administered, possibly reflecting differing professional considerations of the risks associated with the use of NSAID. In the interests of animal welfare, pain relief should perhaps be provided or offered more frequently for owner administration

Attitudes towards catch-and-release recreational angling, angling practices and perceptions of pain and welfare in fish in New Zealand

Although there is still some debate regarding whether fish have the capacity to feel pain, recent scientific research seems to support the notion that fish can indeed suffer. However, the continued scientific discourse has led to questions regarding how members of the public perceive issues of pain and welfare in fish. A questionnaire was developed and randomly distributed to 700 members of the general public in New Zealand. Questionnaires gathered basic demographic information, information regarding respondents’ participation in and opinions on angling practice, and opinions about fish welfare and pain. The response rate was 62.4% (437/700). The primary aim of the study was to assess public concerns for the impact of catch-and-release angling (CRA) on the welfare of fish. Most respondents indicated a belief that fish are capable of feeling some pain although older respondents scored the capacity of fish to feel pain lower than younger respondents. Likewise, most respondents believed that CRA causes pain and compromises survival in fish. Principle Component Analysis identified two major components within responses. These were: i) importance placed on good fishing techniques; and ii) concern for pain and survival of fish. Female respondents showed more concern about angling practices and their impact on pain and survival of fish than male respondents. Respondents who participate in CRA and considered it acceptable showed less concern for pain and survival in fish than both respondents who do not participate and those who considered CRA unacceptable. The majority of respondents considered angling an acceptable pastime (65%; 284/435) but also indicated support for the introduction of guidelines and regulations to improve fish welfare in the future (76.4%; 334/434). Those respondents that did not believe regulations were necessary provided statistically lower importance scores for both pain and survival in fish and good angling practices than respondents that did. Education about good angling practices may provide the best route by which fish welfare can be improved

Veterinary provision of analgesia for domestic cats (<i>Felis catus</i>) undergoing gonadectomy: a comparison of samples from New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom

<div><p></p><p>AIM: To compare the use and provision of analgesia to cats undergoing gonadectomy by a sample of veterinarians in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom (UK).</p><p>METHODS: Small animal veterinarians' views and practices on provision of analgesia to cats at three different time phases (pre/intra-operatively, post-operatively and post-discharge) were gathered using an on-line questionnaire. Respondents were also asked to state the pharmacological agent(s) used and the dosage rate(s). Differences in provision of analgesia were assessed relative to the respondent using binary logistic regression. The effects of gender of the patient and time of provision were explored using McNewar's Test and Cochran's Q, respectively. Differences between drug types used amongst countries were tested using χ² analysis.</p><p>RESULTS: There were 717 responses to the survey. Of these 249 (34.7%) were from New Zealand, 269 (37.5%) were from the UK and 199 (27.8%) from Australia. The prevalence of analgesia provision declined across the three different time phases for spaying and castration (both p<0.001). Provision of analgesia for castration was less than for spaying at each of the pre/intra-operative (p=0.002), post-operative (p<0.001) and after discharge (p<0.001) phases.</p><p>Post-operative provision of analgesia following both castration (p<0.001) and spaying (p<0.001) differed amongst countries of practice. Veterinarians in Australia and New Zealand were more likely to provide post-operative analgesia for both castration and spaying than those from the UK (p<0.001). Veterinarians from the UK more commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in the pre/intra-operative phase (p<0.001) than veterinarians from either New Zealand or Australia.</p><p>CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Contemporary use of analgesics for cats appears focused on provision at clinic and may not address the effects of surgery beyond the first 24 hours. The UK, Australia and New Zealand clearly differ in the types of analgesia administered, possibly reflecting differing professional considerations of the risks associated with the use of NSAID. In the interests of animal welfare, pain relief should perhaps be provided or offered more frequently for owner administration.</p></div

Interaction of the low-affinity receptor CD23/Fc epsilonRII lectin domain with the Fc epsilon3-4 fragment of human immunoglobulin E.

CD23/Fc epsilonRII, the low-affinity receptor for IgE, is a multifunctional protein of importance in blood cell development and the immune system. We have studied the interaction of CD23 with IgE in solution using hydrodynamic methods applied to recombinant fragments of both ligands: sCD23, corresponding to the soluble lectin domain of CD23, and Fc epsilon3-4, a dimer of the C epsilon3-C epsilon4 sequence of IgE. The hydrodynamic, spectroscopic, and biological properties of these fragments suggest that they have a fully native structure. Sedimentation equilibrium studies on mixtures of sCD23 and Fc epsilon3-4 indicate that IgE has two binding sites for CD23, each characterized by affinities of approximately 10(5) M(-1). Analysis of the sedimentation as a function of temperature allows conclusions to be drawn about the thermodynamics of binding at the two sites. Binding at the first site is characterized by large changes in enthalpy (delta H(degree)To = -2.1 +/- 3.3 kcal mol(-1)) and heat capacity (delta Cp(degree) = -320 +/- 320 cal mol(-1) K(-1)), whereas binding at the second site is characterized by small changes in enthalpy (delta H(degree)To = 0.1 +/- 5.6 kcal mol(-1)) and heat capacity (delta Cp(degree) = -140 +/- 550 cal mol(-1) K(-1)). In native CD23, there are two or three lectin domains, associated through an alpha-helical coiled-coil stalk. The predicted structure of the CD23 oligomers and symmetry considerations rule out the possibility of two lectin domains from one oligomer binding to identical sites in IgE. The notion of two types of interaction in the 2:1 complex between CD23 and IgE is consistent with the thermodynamic data presented