September 2011 - Australian Veterinary Association

Editor’s Note
Dr David Paxton
In this issue are comments that research on transmission
of Hendra virus to horses be undertaken more seriously.
nauseous. While washing flying fox faeces off my car on
many occasions, I have noticed, and railed at, their molasses-like
There is an article on the ecological importance of flying
tenacity. Remembering my colleague’s experi-
foxes. There is a statement from the Minister for Agriculture
ence, I have resisted the temptation to have a taste.
that a more concerted research effort is being In this issue is an important situation report on farm animal
planned. Among the comments is reference to HeV in welfare in the European Union. The pluses seem to outnumber
the minuses, and huge food marketers are react-
mosquitoes. There is a great deal that needs to be learned
because the risk is real.
ing positively to consumer demands for ethical production.
Other comments the Editor is aware of are the possibilities
of transmission by, for example, cockroaches moving between
feed troughs and leaf litter under flying fox colonies,
and through spread by ectoparasites of the flying foxes. A
This is to the good while the EU stays affluent and consumers
exercise choice. Less affluent cultures are rapidly
becoming wealthier and this may provide opportunities for
better standards globally.
thought which occurs to me is that millions of Australians It is highly recommended that readers see the motion picture
film Red Dog. Remember to turn off your mobile
enjoy − indeed, relish − the regurgitations of Apis mellifera,
the European honey bee, which is an active feeder on nectar
and an important pollinator. Presumably, over millen-
Koko the dog, in several guises, acts out some quite com-
‘phone (or you might be assaulted) and take lots of tissues.
nia, human beings have evolved an adaptation to any organisms
present in honey. The faeces of nectar feeding cate with him at a deep level – mess with his head, like a
plex emotions. Perhaps his keeper was able to communi-
flying fox may be a confection for some horses, with the good director should. Serendipitously, in this issue of QN
difference that the horses are only now being exposed significantly
to HeV. It is sensible to protect horse feed and pathically.
we have an article on communicating with animals tele-
equipment from contamination by flying fox faeces in the
I hosted Isobel Johnstone on a tour of Coochiemudlo on 6
various ways that guidelines recommend. Dusty the dog
September. Isobel communicated with 8 dogs, a donkey, a
may have had a sweet tooth.
goat, a sheep and a piglet. All animals are intensely socialised
with people and well looked after. I am not at all
Please note, I am NOT suggesting any reader sample flying
19/10/09 fox faeces! It 3:43 could PM be dangerous. Page 1 Years ago, I tele-
informed in this area. However to save leaving the reader
NEW
phoned a colleague at a research institute in a State Department
of Agriculture: he groaned when he answered the seemed to be like communicating with a 3 to 4 year-old
spell-bound, I add that the quality of communication
telephone. He had, in a spirit of enquiry, just consumed child, with adult overtones.
raw an amount of macerated sheep muscle containing a
E
large number
THOUSANDS
of cysts. The paste had made him feel very
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