After several years work, Awanui Veterinary has now completed the design, development and validation of a duplex qPCR assay to detect the canine BRAF mutation responsible for canine urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). We are very excited to be the first New Zealand laboratory to offer a BRAF mutation test locally.This mutation can be detected […]
Summer is upon us and it is never too early to ensure plans are in place to protect the herd. To be effective, preventative measures need to be in place before Pseudopithomyces chartarum and / or Pseudopithomyces toxicarius (formerly Pithomyces spp.) spores are detected.For every clinical case of facial eczema you see, there will be at least […]
Sandy McLachlanClinical historyQuery enterotoxigenic E.coli, torsion, sepsis? Metronidazole had been administered by the owner in the morning. Late afternoon the dog presented to the attending veterinarian with fever 40.9°C, and was treated with cefazolin, enrofloxacin, IV fluids, meloxicam and maropitant. In house CBC showed haemoconcentration (HCT 69.5% (37.3 – 61.7)) and profound leukopenia (neutrophils 0.04 […]
Our long-standing resident pathologist, John Gill, will be retiring after more than 40 years as a veterinary pathologist. John began his career with the MAF Animal Health Lab in Mosgiel in the early 1980s.“I have had the privilege of working alongside John since 1993, and I will especially miss his sense of humour and the […]
Sarah Riddy, Awanui Veterinary, Palmerston NorthThis report details the analysis of data submitted to the Awanui Veterinary network for the season June 2024 to May 2025 for fully differentiated faecal egg count reduction testing (FECRT).Data was obtained from cases that clearly identified the test anthelmintic and sample groups with ≥ 10 animals per treatment group. […]
We have recently experienced issues with histology samples leaking during transport, even when containers have been sealed with Parafilm or tape. In most cases, the cause is container lids not securely fastened before sealing. Please ensure that lids are tightened properly — no amount of tape or external sealing can prevent leakage if the lid […]
All of our laboratories will be closed on Monday 27 October for Labour Day. We will however be open normal hours on Saturday 25 October.Enjoy your long weekend!
Fond Farewells is opening a branch in Auckland from 21 July, offering Aquamation (water cremations) – a gentle, environmentally friendly end-of-life service for pets. This expands on our trusted traditional cremation service provided in Canterbury for almost 40 years, giving your clinic an opportunity to offer clients a compassionate and sustainable choice.Learn more hereWhy offer aquamation?> A […]
As we approach the busy spring parasitology season, we’d like to remind all clinics to submit faecal samples in approved, leak-proof specimen containers.Recently, our Palmerston North laboratory received several samples packaged in plastic bags, some of which leaked during transport (see photo). Unfortunately, this led to contamination of other samples and the cardboard courier box—posing […]
Cathy HarveyClinical historyA dairy farm with 350 Friesian-Jersey cross cows had eight cows abort seven weeks early. The animals were being fed mouldy silage. Multiple fixed tissues were submitted along with fetal stomach contents for histopathology testing.Laboratory testingOn histopathology of the placenta there were multifocal large areas of necrosis and haemorrhage, and numerous infiltrates of […]