Comprehensive Resources for Vets
Production: All Testing Services
Submission Tips:
Motivation for the submission of fresh blood smears
Why fresh smears are so IMPORTANT Fresh smears allow for better assessment of cell morphology. Some key reasons include: When…
TSE Incentivised Programme Update For Vets.
If fresh spinal cord is not included as part of the submission there will be no payment to the farmer…
Microbiologists are amazing but they are not miracle workers!
Getting the best from Microbiology We think of microbiology as having miraculous qualities, where putting infective material on agar will…
When providing Postmortem samples more is better!
Things to consider when submitting histological samples for infectious diseases.
How much blood is needed
How to Package Samples for Delivery to VetPath NZ
Samples need to be packaged using the 3-layer IATA packaging system. This consists of a primary receptacle, secondary receptacle and…
Haematology:
Blood smears: An essential part of the CBC!
HOW to make a Blood Smear: Whether for examination in-clinic, for submission to the lab to interpret alongside in-clinic haematology…
Microbiology:
Antibiotic sensitivity testing for anaerobes
Anaerobic antibiotic sensitivities are not routinely performed in diagnostic laboratories because testing is difficult, expensive, and routine techniques as used…
Increases in cases of Yersiniosis in cattle.
We have seen an increase in cases of bovine yersiniosis cause by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis over the last few years.
Antibiotic judicious use guidelines for Dairy
See also: Policy: Judicious use of antimicrobials by the NZVA
Theriogenology:
The role of phytoestrogens in pseudopregnancy of goats.
A case of increased rate of pseudopregnancy in a North Island dairy goat herd. (Article first published in VetScript, New Zealand…
Toxicology:
Nitrate toxicity in ruminants.
Nitrate toxicity can occur in cattle ingesting plants containing high level of nitrates.
Informative article from Dairy NZ on Facial Eczema.
We have seen large numbers of submissions with severe facial eczema this week. With the increased moisture and continuing warm…
Transition Cows:
Trace Element:
Can serum copper testing help base decisions on supplementation programs?
The answer is yes it can, to a limited degree.
Parasitism:
Ostertagia ostertagi immunology and implications for diagnosis.
Genevieve Amours of VetPath NZ discusses the ins and outs of the abomasal parasite Ostertagia ostertagi, including diagnostic options. (Article first…
Enteric Coccidia in Calves.
Coccidiosis due to Eimeria is most common in young or naïve calves. More than a dozen species parasitise cattle, however…
Nutrition:
Two cases of hardware disease in dairy cows arising from feed supplements.
(Article first published in VetScript, New Zealand Veterinary Association, May 2018) CONCLUSION: This article outlines cases in which hardware disease…
The perils of poor nutrition in high producing dairy cows.
(Article first published in VetScript, New Zealand Veterinary Association, February 2018)
Biochemistry:
Magnesium: some lesser known effects of derangements.
Two cases that highlight the diversity and complexity of Mg functions. (Article first published in VetScript, New Zealand Veterinary Association, February…
Submandibular Oedema in Cattle.
Submandibular swelling is commonly seen in cattle. It is often attributed to hypoalbuminaemia due to Johne’s disease.
Non- Parturient hypocalcemia in Dairy Cows.
In the last 2 weeks we have seen several cases of hypocalcemia in dairy cows.
Neoplasia:
ODONTOMAS: TUMOURS OF JUVENILE ANIMALS
The most common oral lesion of cattle how to diagnose it, and how to treat it. (Article first published in VetScript,…
Metabolic Disease:
Hypokalaemia as a cause for recumbency in cattle.
NEFA vs BOH: Which one to assess?
Concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxy-butyrate (BOH) reflect mobilisation of adipose tissue in response to an imbalance between…
Mastitis:
Infectious Disease:
Pink Eye (Moraxella bovis)
Haemorrhagic enterocolitis in cattle?
Consider Bovine Adenovirus
Chronic Theileria orientalis Ikeda infections.
When cattle are first infected with Theileria orientalis Ikeda they develop an acute, moderate to severe regenerative anaemia.
Calf Management:
Fluid Therapy in Calves with Diarrhoea Update
Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base abnormalities in calf diarrhoea.
SUMMARYIn a calf with diarrhoea, it is important to estimate fluid, electrolyte and acid-base requirements accurately so that the correct…
Calf scours testing
During calf scour season, many samples are assessed both at laboratories and at the pen-side in order to detect causative…
Ruminal acidosis in pre-weaned calves
Illness and deaths can occur in pre-weaned calves due to marked ruminal acidosis as a consequence of milk entering the…
Assessing Passive Transfer in Calves
Currently, adequate passive transfer in calves is most commonly determined by measuring serum immunoglobulin (IgG) or its proxy, total protein…
Freemartin Testing
In most cases of cattle carrying twins, blood is exchanged between fetuses so that in the case of male-female twins,…
BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea):
Can New Zealand eradicate the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea virus?
The challenges of eradicating a destructive and expensive disease. (Article first published in VetScript, New Zealand Veterinary Association, March 2017)
Abortion:
Neospora in Cattle. Abortions are starting to be seen
so it is an apt time to be looking at some of the causes. Let’s start with Neospora.
Bovine Abortion diagnosis can be challenging
To have the best chance finding the cause follow these basic rules.
Forms & Information:
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Production Animal Submission Form
Our Production Animal Submission form covers all our regularly requested tests in production animals.
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Liver Analysis Submission Form
The Liver Analysis Submission Form is used to request liver samples to be collected at the meat works and sent…
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Ovine Abortion Submission Form
Our Ovine Abortion Submission Form is used to investigate ovine abortion issues. It provides prompts to create a case history…
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Bovine Abortion Investigation Guidance
This guidance document is designed to help guide veterinarians through any bovine abortion investigation.
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MPI TSE Surveillance Submission Form
The MPI TSE Surveillance Submission form is to be used when submitting samples for the MPI surveillance programme for transmissible…
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New Submitting Vet Form
If you are a clinic who is new to VetPath NZ, please complete and return the attached form. This will…
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Consumable Order Form
Order form for all your laboratory consumable needs. Please submit to VetPath NZ and the consumable can be sent out…
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BVD Testing Programme Form
The BVD Testing Programme Form is used to set up BVD monitoring from Bulk Tank Milk samples. The programme allows…
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Herd Bulk Testing Form
The Herd Bulk Testing Form is used to request bulk milk or herd test sample collection and testing for BVD,…
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M bovis Survey Submission Form
Please use this form for any farmers wanting to submit into the M bovis survey