Toronto Star

Ovine lameness in Ireland: a survey-based investigation of farmer reported prevalence, recognition, and treatment of lameness conditions ↗

Irish Veterinary Journal
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 Irish Veterinary Journal••🇮🇪

Molecular prevalence of Chlamydia spp. in wild birds from Qinghai Lake, China ↗

Chlamydia spp. are a group of gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacteria that represent significant pathogens causing chlamydiosis in both animals and humans. Avian chlamydiosis (AC), primarily caused by Chlamydia psittaci, C. avium, C. gallinacea, and C. ibidis, has been documented in over 460 avian species. Qinghai Lake, China’s largest saltwater lake and a critical overwintering site for migratory birds, served as the study area to investigate Chlamydia prevalence in wild birds. Fecal samples from 125 birds revealed an overall Chlamydia spp. infection rate of 28.8% (36/125), with three species identified: C. abortus (55.6%, 20/36), C. avium (44.4%, 16/36), and C. psittaci (13.9%, 5/36). Phylogenetic analysis through amplification of the 16 S rRNA (5 samples), IGS-23 S rRNA (6 samples), and ompA (5 samples) genes revealed that all sequences obtained in this study were assigned to the Chlamydiaceae family. The ompA sequence of C. abortus obtained in this study clustered closely with the reference strain GN6 (CP021996.1) isolated from aborted yak fetuses (Bos grunniens), a bovid species typically domesticated and endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, showing 100% sequence identity. In contrast, C. avium ompA sequences shared 87.40% identity with the reference strain 10DC88. The identical genomic profile of C. abortus between wild birds and domesticated yaks suggests potential cross-species transmission in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, where overlapping habitats of wildlife and livestock may facilitate pathogen exchange. These findings underscore the zoonotic risks posed by Chlamydia species circulating in this ecologically critical region, with implications for the health of local livestock (yaks, Tibetan sheep), human populations, and migratory bird conservation.
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Irish Veterinary Journal··🇮🇪

Comparative genomic analysis of multiple mammary tumors from a single dog: whole-genome sequencing study ↗

Next-generation sequencing of canine spontaneous cancer is a powerful approach in both comparative oncology and veterinary genomics. We encountered a unique case with concurrent mammary tumors. Using whole-genome sequencing (WGS), we profiled the tumor-specific landscape of somatic mutations across multiple tumor subtypes, providing unprecedented evidence within an identical genetic background. Of the seven mammary gland tumors (MGTs) isolated, two were diagnosed as benign and five as malignant. High-quality WGS (34.5X average sequencing depth, ≥ 20X coverage across 94.9% of the genome) on tumors and a blood sample revealed missense mutations in human breast cancer-related genes such as BRCA2 and TP53. Furthermore, we found evidence of canine-specific somatic mutations depending on the tumor subtypes, including HECTD4 in malignant tumors and NIPBL in epithelial-derived malignant tumors. This unique case study provides novel insights into the genomic heterogeneity, clonal evolution, and subtype-specific pathogenesis of naturally occurring canine MGTs. Despite some inherent limitations and potential for individual-specific variation, our results emphasize and guide future large-scale, longitudinal studies to further elucidate the clinical and biological significance of key somatic alterations.
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Irish Veterinary Journal
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Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV), Border Disease Virus (BDV), and Bovine Herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1, the cause of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis, IBR), are economically important endemic viruses in ruminant livestock in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Deer could undermine control efforts in livestock by contributing to virus transmission and maintenance, but information on the presence of these viruses in the wild deer population is lacking. Blood samples from wild fallow and sika deer culled in Northern Ireland were collected opportunistically in the 2022–23 hunting season and tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of antibodies to these viruses (n = 116). No antibodies against BoHV-1 were detected. Antibodies against pestivirus were detected in three samples (2.6%), all from sika deer, and constitute the first report in this species in Europe. Virus strain differentiation by virus neutralization test (VNT) was inconclusive. Results therefore indicate no evidence of exposure to BoHV-1 and very low levels of pestivirus exposure in these deer populations. Based on these results there are currently no grounds to implicate deer as significant wildlife reservoirs of these viruses.

No evidence of BoHV-1 exposure and low levels of pestivirus exposure in sera from 116 opportunistically sampled wild deer in Northern Ireland ↗

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Transient myocardial thickening (TMT) is characterised by reversible left ventricular myocardial thickening. A 2-year-old castrated male British Shorthair was presented with a history of severe vomiting for 2 days. Based on abdominal radiography and ultrasonography, the cat was diagnosed with an obstructive gastrointestinal foreign body. Preoperative echocardiography revealed an increased maximum left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT: 6.9 mm, measured at end-diastole) and ratio of the left atrium to the aortic root (LA/Ao: 2.1), indicative of a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotype. An enterotomy was performed, and the foreign body was found to be an almond. Immediately after surgery, the cat became tachypnoeic, and thoracic radiography revealed pulmonary oedema. The cat was then treated with cardiac medications. Five days after surgery, the cat’s condition clinically normalised. Two months after the first presentation, repeated echocardiography revealed a decreased LVWT (4.8 mm) and LA/Ao (1.58). The cat was diagnosed with TMT, and all cardiac medications were discontinued. The cat remained clinically well for 14 months after the last presentation. This is the first case report to demonstrate that foreign body ingestion may cause TMT, and that congestive heart failure (CHF) can develop after enterotomy in cats with subclinical TMT. The possibility of TMT should be considered in cats with foreign body ingestion that requires anaesthesia and/or surgery because it may trigger CHF, which could ultimately lead to death.
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Congestive heart failure after enterotomy in a cat with asymptomatic transient myocardial thickening ↗

📰Irish Veterinary Journal••🇮🇪
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Irish Veterinary Journal
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Veterinary education has long relied on lecture-based methods and conventional case-based learning, approaches that may not fully cultivate the critical and systems thinking skills required in today’s complex clinical environment. In response, we developed an innovative digital tool that integrates interactive gaming, narrative-driven expression, and structured debriefing into a cohesive simulation framework. Using backyard poultry management—a case selected for its regulatory and ethical complexities in European practice—as our testbed, the simulation engages students through a point-and-click game focused on laying hens. The tool presents a series of interactive decision points and intentional "traps" that prompt reflective discussion during post-game debriefing sessions. A qualitative approach was employed to analyze data collected from focus group discussions, written group documents, and facilitator reflections during simulation sessions with veterinary students. Our thematic analysis identified three primary themes: (1) a multifactorial understanding of poultry health, (2) diverse perceptions of the veterinarian’s role in managing complex challenges, and (3) the simulation as an effective reflective trigger for enhancing clinical reasoning. These findings indicate that the simulation not only promotes active learning and systems thinking but also bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world clinical decision-making by linking clinical observations with broader regulatory, economic, and social considerations. Despite limitations such as reliance on self-reported data and the absence of a control group, our study demonstrates that a facilitation-driven simulation framework can transform case-based learning into a dynamic, reflective inquiry process. This approach offers a promising alternative for enhancing educational outcomes in veterinary education and lays the groundwork for future research incorporating objective measures of competence and further refinements to balance structured guidance with learner autonomy.
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Bridging theory and practice: a facilitation-driven game for reflective, collaborative veterinary education ↗

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Irish Veterinary Journal
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In the Republic of Ireland, pregnant dry dairy cows are typically housed and fed pasture silage. However, its mineral concentrations vary greatly, and dietary mineral recommendations are based on other main feedstuffs and cow types. This study, which is part of a larger project, aims to describe pasture silage mineral composition, comparing it to estimated Irish dry cow requirements, and describe mineral feeding practices. Macrominerals and trace minerals were determined for pasture silage samples from 27 commercial farms. Farmers completed a feeding management questionnaire, and mineral requirements for each farm were calculated for pregnant dry cows at 270 d of gestation, with mean estimated live weight of 557 kg and dry matter (DM) intake of 9.2 kg/d. Mineral concentrations in pasture silage exceeded the estimated dietary requirements for all macrominerals and some trace minerals (samples exceeding; Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Na, P, S, and Fe: 100.0%, Mn: 88.9%, and Co: 55.6%), while it didn’t meet them for some trace minerals (samples not meeting; Cu, I and Se: 100.0%, and Zn: 51.9%). Calculated pasture silage dietary cation-anion difference ranged from 18 to 49 mEq/100 g DM. All farms supplemented minerals; 91.6% provided a multi-mineral product (types/brands varied), which was mostly top-dressed over pasture silage (77.8% of farms) once a day (51.9% of farms). Only 26.0% of farms tested pasture silage for mineral composition, the importance of which should be promoted. Our estimated requirements and findings should be considered along with recommendations for disease prevention for dry cow mineral feeding optimization.
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Dry cow pasture silage mineral concentrations and dry cow mineral requirements and supplementation practices on Irish dairy farms ↗

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Irish Veterinary Journal••🇮🇪

Prevalence and risk factors for Bovine Herpesvirus Type 1 (BoHV-1) infection in Irish beef herds: results from the National Beef Welfare Scheme 2023 ↗

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), caused by bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1), is a highly contagious disease with significant economic impacts on the cattle industry. It can also lead to respiratory distress, reproductive losses and compromised animal welfare, and thus represents a key target for control. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify risk factors associated with BoHV-1 infection in Irish beef herds. Conducted under the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS), the study involved testing 10,659 beef breeding herds, representing approximately 20% of the national beef herd population. A total of 189,404 animals were tested. Using a ‘snapshot’ testing strategy herd-level BoHV-1 status was determined based on the presence of antibodies to the gE glycoprotein in up to 20 randomly selected animals, preferably over 9 months of age to exclude maternally derived antibodies. Vaccination histories were not available for participating herds. Results indicated an animal-level apparent prevalence of 11.4% and a herd-level apparent prevalence based on positive snapshots of 48.8% (defined as herds with ≥ 1 positive animal). Larger herds and high rates of animal in-moves per capita (here, > 17% of herd replaced by purchases in the past year) were identified as significant risk factors for recent (within the last three years) BoHV-1 circulation. Previous studies had indicated a herd-level prevalence in Ireland of up to 80%. The lower prevalence estimates identified in this study may reflect improved biosecurity and vaccination uptake in recent years. The findings from this survey, although showing that BoHV-1 is still endemic in Irish beef herds, provide updated prevalence figures which are considerably lower, indicating that a higher number of farms would be in a position to achieve freedom from BoHV-1 in a relatively short period. These results offer essential epidemiological insights to inform the design and implementation of a national BoHV-1 control programme in Ireland.
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