These faecal samples were recently sent to our laboratory packed inside a plastic bread bag and were leaking everywhere on receipt. They provide a good example of inappropriate/illegal sample packaging.Plastic bags tear easily, are prone to leakage, are awkward to extract samples from, do not meet the legal requirements for biological samples and are not […]
SANDY WELTAN & CRISTINA GANSClinical historyBella, a 10-year-old female entire Shih Tzu presented for evaluation of abdominal distension. Aside from this, Bella was well at home, with no changes in appetite, water intake, urination or defaecation noted. Fourteen months prior, Bella had a cystic mammary lump surgically removed. Unfortunately, histology had not been performed for […]
LISA HULME-MOIRHorses with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) are at an increased risk of developing laminitis. Classically we think of the cresty-necked, overweight horse or pony that can live on the smell of an oily rag. However not every overweight horse has EMS and occasionally some horses with normal body condition may have EMS (so called […]
MPI has developed a new bovine disease surveillance report to help veterinarians better understand disease patterns at both the regional and national levels.These reports utilise data collected as part of Biosecurity New Zealand’s (BNZ) Animal Health Surveillance Programme, which collects anonymised data on all sick bovine cases seen by the veterinary diagnostic laboratories in New […]
RACHEL WHITEHEADGrazing ruminants in New Zealand are rarely free of worm infection, though effects on stock health and productivity vary widely. Clinical effects of enteric parasitism include ill thrift, diarrhoea, anaemia, and death in severe cases.The degree of damage is influenced by the numbers and identities of the parasites present, host age, immunity, general health, […]
AREFEH RAVANBAKHSHMastocytemia refers to presence of mast cells in peripheral circulation. Mast cells originate from precursor cells produced in the bone marrow and following migration into peripheral tissue, they undergo further differentiation and maturation. Once in tissue they do not tend to recirculate and thus are not normally found in peripheral blood.1 The morphology of […]
Often we receive forms with faint writing or ticks (or barely legible writing) and it does make it really hard to figure out exactly what you require.When completing submission forms and ticking boxes, please make sure you use a decent, dark pen to write with. This will ensure we can clearly read all information provided, […]
KAREN BAILEYClinical history:An animal rescue organisation uplifted a stray/feral entire female tabby, estimated to be about 10 years old. She had probably been feeding herself by hunting and scavenging.The cat was re-homed in a multi-cat rescue household and fed a variety of commercial cat food. She had several health issues including hind leg ataxia and […]
REBECCA ALLANA recent case submitted to the Christchurch laboratory had us itching to reach a diagnosis.Clinical history:The patient was a 10-year-old Gypsy x Welsh Cob with longstanding inflammation of the pasterns. The veterinarian had taken skin scrapes and submitted smears to the laboratory for cytology.Laboratory findings:Examination of smears revealed a seething mass of mites in […]
RACHEL WHITEHEADAnthelmintic resistance is a growing issue, therefore investigation of potential resistance is an important tool in managing production-limiting effects on-farm.At Gribbles Veterinary we are committed to developing tools to promote vet + farmer communication. This season we are launching a new faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) report, which will calculate anthelmintic susceptibility for […]