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Self-directed and social forms of learning are fundamentally different from traditional didactic educational settings from which students are selected for veterinary, medical and other professional degree courses. It is therefore expected that a mismatch may emerge between students' conceptions of effective learning and expectations inherent to the new learning environments. The present study addressed this issue by examining 128 preclinical students' predispositions towards two key elements in problem-based and case-based learning, namely self-directed and social forms of learning. A mixed method approach revealed converging evidence of students' overwhelming preference for external, teacher regulation and individual forms of learning. External regulation was consciously invoked as a coping strategy in managing large amounts of complex information. Constructivist conceptions of learning were positively related to an appreciation of the cognitive benefits of social forms of learning, a relationship that has attracted little attention in the higher education literature. These findings stress the importance of guiding students' transition towards learning autonomy required for social forms of learning and continuous lifelong learning after graduation.

Summary: Background: During 2016–2018, 15 critically ill neonatal foals with acute respiratory distress associated with Chlamydia psittaci infection were presented to three referral hospitals in New South Wales. Chlamydia psittaci has not previously been associated with the development of neonatal respiratory disease. Objectives: To investigate and describe the clinical features and outcome of C. psittaci infection in neonatal foals. Study design: Multicentre retrospective case series. Methods: The clinical, clinicopathological, necropsy and histological features of 15 foals with confirmed C. psittaci infection were reviewed and reported. Results: Thirteen foals with C. psittaci infection died or were subjected to euthanasia within 36 h of hospitalisation and two foals survived to discharge. Findings during post‐mortem examination of nonsurviving foals included bronchopneumonia, pulmonary congestion, hepatic congestion and hepatic inflammation. Detection of C. psittaci was achieved using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of swabs of nasal secretions (4/6) and rectal mucosa (5/7) from live foals, lung tissues of foals at necropsy (11/14) and foetal membranes (4/5). Main limitations: Small numbers of confirmed cases of neonatal C. psittaci infection and inconsistent sampling methods. Conclusions: Chlamydia psittaci should be considered a differential diagnosis for neonatal foals with signs of severe systemic disease, including equine neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (EqNARDS). Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen and a personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn for the management of foals with suspected or confirmed infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper describes the pathological findings of the reproductive tracts of two 6-month-old Staffordshire bull terriers that were neutered at separate veterinary clinics in Wagga Wagga and a 7-month-old Shetland sheepdog that was neutered in Melbourne. Case 1 was recognised as abnormal by its owner at 2 months of age, as the dog had a phallus protruding from its vulva. The other two dogs were considered by their owners to be normal bitches. During ovariohysterectomy, all dogs presented with small uteri, and gonads that grossly appeared more like testes than ovaries. Histological examination of the gonads from Case 1 revealed well-developed seminiferous tubules with rare germ cells in lumina. There was a primitive, convoluted epididymis attached to one testis. In Cases 2 and 3, there were similar testicular gonadal tissues with pseudo-uterine horns consistent with retention of the paramesonephric ducts. The pathology in of all of these cases was consistent with a primary genetic intersex disorder, with Cases 2 and 3 also exhibiting persistent Müllerian ducts. Disorders of sexual development occur due to aberrations at the chromosomal, gonadal and/or phenotypic level. Differentiation between these can be assisted by genetic profiling, such as karyotyping, and histopathology. These disorders have a low incidence in clinical practice, however, due to the complex pathway of sexual development there can be many different presentations. Case descriptions such as these can be of great benefit to clinicians when they are performing routine surgery and are faced with an unexpected presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Clinical pathology results are typically interpreted by referring to population‐based reference intervals. The use of individualised (subject‐based) reference intervals is more appropriate for measurands with a high degree of variation between individuals. Objectives: To determine the biological variation of routinely analysed equine haematology and biochemistry measurands and calculate indices of individuality and reference change values which enable production of individualised reference intervals, in a group of healthy, privately owned horses. Study design: In a prospective cohort study, thirty‐nine privately owned horses were sampled by jugular venipuncture for analysis of haematology and biochemistry measurands at weekly intervals for 6 weeks. Methods: Haematology was analysed on the day of collection. Serum was frozen and biochemistry analyses performed on thawed samples. Duplicate results were obtained and the coefficient of variation was calculated for analytical variation, within‐subject variation and between‐subject variation. The index of individuality and reference change value were derived for each measurand. Results: Haematology (red blood cell count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean cell volume) and biochemistry measurands (total protein, globulins, albumin, gamma‐glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase) demonstrated high individuality, indicating that individualised reference intervals are more appropriate for evaluation of these measurands. Two haematology (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and platelets) and three biochemistry measurands (chloride, glucose and sodium) had low individuality, indicating that the use of traditional population‐based reference intervals is appropriate for these measurands. Remaining measurands had intermediate individuality suggesting interpretation of the reference change value should occur with consideration of the population‐based reference interval. Main limitations: The use of privately owned horses, variable management and environmental factors. Conclusions: The use of individualised reference intervals is justified for many measurands in horses, supporting the use of serial sampling, consideration of biological variation and application of reference change values for improved clinical decision making and patient management in equine practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) analysis is a noninvasive method to assess the lower respiratory tract. In human subjects, EBC hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), pH and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) are useful for detection and monitoring of inflammatory lung diseases, including asthma. Objectives: To determine associations between EBC biomarkers and cytological and endoscopic definitions of lower airway inflammation (LAI) while controlling for sampling and environmental variables. Study design: Prospective, cross‐sectional study. Methods: Clinical, endoscopic and airway cytological findings from 47 horses were compared with EBC pH and concentrations of H2O2 and LTB4 by univariate and multivariable analyses. Dichotomous (presence/absence of airway inflammation) and continuous outcome variables (differential cell counts in tracheal aspirate and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, BALF) were evaluated and potential effects of collection and methodological factors were included. Results: EBC pH and H2O2 concentrations were higher in horses with LAI and both were positively associated with the percentage of neutrophils in BALF (P<0.05). Mast cell percentage in BALF was negatively associated with EBC pH, and BALF eosinophil percentage was positively associated with EBC LTB4 (P<0.05). Ambient temperature, relative humidity and assay methodology significantly impacted some analytes. Main limitations: LAI is challenging to categorise due to a variety of clinical and cytological phenotypes. Although the study was designed to overcome this limitation, numbers of horses were small in some categories. Conclusions: EBC pH and H2O2 concentrations are altered by airway inflammation, suggesting a role for these biomarkers in the diagnosis and monitoring of airway disease. Environmental and methodological factors can influence these biomarkers and should be considered in the interpretation of results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case report: During February 2014, a yellow‐tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus) and glossy black cockatoo (C. lathami) housed in aviaries on a property in Wamuran, Queensland, were submitted for postmortem. Histopathology and molecular diagnostics demonstrated the presence of Plasmodium sp. infection. The Plasmodium isolate identified has previously only been reported as infecting a healthy wild rufous fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons) in Australia. Conclusion: To the authors’ knowledge, these are the first reported cases of Plasmodium in Calyptorhynchus. We hypothesised that the maintenance of these two cockatoo species in ground level aviaries in a low‐altitude geographic zone resulted in exposure of birds to mosquito vectors of endemic avian Plasmodium. Black cockatoos roost and forage in the mid to high canopy of forests in the wild, outside the likely spatiotemporal distribution of relevant haemosporidian vectors. It is therefore likely that these birds had immunological naivety and susceptibility to infection with Plasmodium circulating in wild passerines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Characterisation of a complete genome sequence of an Australian strain of canid alphaherpesvirus 1 (CHV‐1) and its phylogenetic relationship with other varicellovirus species. Methods: Standard pathology and PCR methods were used to initially detect herpesvirus in hepatic tissue from an infected 4‐week‐old Labrador Retriever puppy. The complete CHV‐1 genome was sequenced using next‐generation sequencing technology followed by de novo and reference assembly, and genome annotation. Results: The CHV‐1 genome was 125 kbp in length and contained 74 predicted open reading frames encoding functional proteins, all of which have counterparts in other alphaherpesviruses. Phylogenetic analysis using the DNA polymerase gene revealed that the newly sequenced CHV‐1 clustered with canid alphaherpesvirus isolated from the UK and shared a 99% overall nucleotide sequence similarity. Conclusion: This is the first complete genome of an Australian strain of CHV‐1, which will contribute to our understanding of the genetics and evolution of herpesvirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Transportation can affect equine health and is a potential source of economic loss to the industry. Objectives To identify journey (duration, vehicle, commercial or noncommercial) and horse (sex, age, breed, use, amateur or professional status) characteristics associated with the development of transport-related health problems in horses. Study design Cross-sectional online survey. Methods An online survey was conducted targeting amateur and professional participants in the Australian equine industry; eligible respondents were required to organise horse movements at least monthly. Respondents provided details of the last case of a transport-related health problem that had affected their horse(s). Associations between type of health problem, journey and horse characteristics were examined with multivariable multinomial regression analysis. Results Based on 214 responses, health problems were classified as injuries, muscular problems, heat stroke, gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and death or euthanasia. Respiratory problems were reported most frequently (33.7%), followed by gastrointestinal problems (23.8%) and traumatic injuries (16.3%). The type of health problem was associated with journey duration (P<0.001) and horse breed (P = 0.001). Injuries were more likely to occur on short journeys, whereas more severe illnesses (gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and death or euthanasia) were more likely to occur on long journeys. Using Standardbreds as the reference group, Thoroughbreds, Arabians and Warmbloods were more likely to experience a severe illness than an injury. Main limitations Self-selected participation in the study and the self-reported nature of transport-related problems. Conclusions Horses undertaking journeys of longer than 24 h are at greater risk for the development of severe disease or death. Further studies on long-haul transportation effects are required to safeguard the welfare of horses moved over long distances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Grass seed foreign body-related disease (GSFBD) is a common entity in dogs throughout Australia, typically affecting the feet and ears. In regions such as the Riverina, in south-west New South Wales, a very high incidence of GSFBD leads to the regular occurrence of rarer forms of this disease complex. CASE REPORTS In this series of cases, a range of GSFBD presentations involving the thorax, vertebral column, retroperitoneal space, lower urinary tract (in cats), brain and spinal cord are presented to highlight the wide spectrum of disease features that can occur subsequent to migration of grass seeds. Diagnosis and treatment of representative cases are discussed. The literature of such conditions from other countries is then reviewed to develop an aetiopathological framework based on likely anatomical pathways for FB migration. Finally, an explanation is provided for why certain bacteria tend to be associated with these various entities. CONCLUSION Grass seeds as aetiological agents can produce highly varied disease presentations. Clinical suspicion should be raised in animals presenting with a disease syndrome typical of GSFBD or in any animal presented for chronic disease with a high exposure risk to grass seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]