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| The need for a "dose of feline" is so great that cat cafes are popping up everywhere. |
Feline calicivirus (FCV)
commonly causes disease in cats, albeit typically mild signs such as gingivitis,
upper respiratory tract signs (sneezing), transient fever and ulcers in the
mouth. But some cats are affected more severely, with extensive ulcers (making
it painful to eat), painful swelling of joints and associated lameness,
pneumonia, and chronic gingivostomatitis (inflammation of the gums and mouth).
There is also FCV-virulent systemic disease which has been fatal.
In Australia cats are
routinely vaccinated for FCV and this is important in controlling the virus and
reducing the severity and duration of clinical signs. But this is a highly
mutable virus so vaccines are not 100 per cent effective.
To date there is no
effective, specific antiviral treatment although we are looking. The agent
mefloquine shows promise in vitro.
You can access the paper free online until April 29 by using this link.
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| Marked gingivitis (inflammation of the gum - see the bright red section just above/below the teeth?) in a cat swabbed positive for calicivirus. |
On the feline front, word is
out that Sydney will have its own “cat café” soon where people can pop in, pay
a fee and visit cats. The cats will be from rescue organisations, be kept in a
room with about eight cats and have access to a human free section. I am
wondering if they will be up for adoption and how long cats will be kept on
display in terms of their lifespans? More here.
In other news, a colleague
just pointed out this amazing technology which allows doctors to visualise the
veins of patients as they place IV catheters and give injections. This is
especially important for administration of cytotoxic drugs like chemotherapy
agents, or drugs that cause damage if they are injected perivascularly (rather
than into the vein). A full body version of this stuff would also make a
fantastic Halloween costume!
I wonder if it would work as
well on animal skin?
If you are into all things
equine, Coursera is offering a free course on caring for horses. Check it out here.
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| This cheeky little Archer fish at the Territory Wildlife Park lined me up and spat at me with impressive accuracy. |
On the fish front, the University
of Sydney’s Human Animal Research Network, in conjunction with Sydney Environment Institute, is hosting a seminar on fish welfare
on June 4 from 5-6.30pm.
There has been a significant expansion in worldwide per capital fish consumption, and a very strong expansion in industrial aquaculture. International agencies such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation have argued that fisheries and aquaculture should play a significant role in future "in eliminating hunger, promoting health and reducing poverty"(UN FAO, 2014). At the same time there has been a great deal of public interest in fishing and environmental sustainability, including in issues such as overfishing, the impact of fishing practices such as trawl and drift netting; and recently, the impact of climate change on the sustainability of small scale local fishing industries.However, there has been less focus internationally on the welfare of fish used for human consumption, and the ethics of using fish for food. This interdisciplinary forum will offer an opportunity to critically examine current welfare provisions in the context of fisheries and aquaculture, recent research on fish cognition, and possible approaches in the ethics and politics of fishing.
The speakers are Associate Professor Celeste Black (Unversity of
Sydney) – "Fish, Welfare and the Law”; Associate Professor Culum
Brown (Macquarie University) – “Fish Cognition and Welfare”; and Dr Dinesh
Wadiwel (University of Sydney) – “Do Fish Resist?”
For more info or to register, click here.
