Nodular skin disease in cattle.

This focus article was prepared by Caroline Fenemore and Vanessa Swinson of the APHA Cattle Species Expert Group, with Aiden Foster of the University of Bristol (Farm Animal Pathology Services).

A survey of handling and transportation of UK farmed deer.

Studies on the transport of deer (), in the UK, were published > 15 years ago. A more recent study of deer transport is required to allow for assessments and improvements to the transport of farmed deer. Sixteen deer farmers participated in a survey describing their management practices related to transport.

Mitogenome sequences of domestic cats demonstrate lineage expansions and dynamic mutation processes in a mitochondrial minisatellite.

Background: As a population genetic tool, mitochondrial DNA is commonly divided into the ~ 1-kb control region (CR), in which single nucleotide variant (SNV) diversity is relatively high, and the coding region, in which selective constraint is greater and diversity lower, but which provides an informative phylogeny. In some species, the CR contains variable tandemly repeated sequences that are understudied due to heteroplasmy. Domestic cats (Felis catus) have a recent origin and therefore traditional CR-based analysis of populations yields only a small number of haplotypes.

Defining cat mitogenome variation and accounting for numts via multiplex amplification and Nanopore sequencing.

Hair shed by domestic cats is a potentially useful source of forensic evidence. Analysable hair DNA is predominantly mitochondrial, but the recent domestication history of cats means that mtDNA diversity is low. A 402-bp control region segment is usually sequenced, defining only a small number of distinct haplotypes in populations.

Challenges in the diagnosis and management of skin diseases in alpacas, goats, pigs, and sheep.

The primary aim of this article is to provide an overview of several selected skin conditions in livestock species. Topics include ectoparasites in alpacas, antler velvet in reindeer, immune-mediated disease in goats, ectoparasites in pigs, Culicoides allergic dermatitis and parapox infection in sheep. When dealing with skin disease in livestock, it is important to collect a detailed history and undertake a thorough clinical examination to include the axilla, groin, limbs and feet.

Health and welfare of deer.

Reviewed by Aiden Foster, president of the British Deer Veterinary Association.

Reindeer health and welfare.

This focus article has been prepared by Aiden Foster of the University of Bristol (which offers postmortem examination services as part of the APHA surveillance network) and Alan Wight, veterinary lead of the APHA Miscellaneous and Exotic Farmed Species Expert Group.

Congenital heart defects in calves.

This focus article describes some of the cardiac anomalies detected in calves submitted to APHA Veterinary Investigation Centres and other postmortem examination providers.

Otoscopy and aural cytological findings in a population of rescue cats and cases in a referral small animal hospital in England and Wales.

Objectives: Otitis externa is seen clinically in cats, although studies investigating this condition within the UK are lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of mites and microbial infection in the ear canals of cats in various rescue centres and a referral hospital.

Methods: Otoscopy was performed in 332 cats.

Owner-reported flea treatment measures and skin disease in cats.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to obtain information regarding the use of flea treatments and owner-reported flea infestation and skin disease.

Methods: Owners of 1150 cats were recruited into a long-term longitudinal study ('Bristol Cats' study) and asked to complete questionnaires at set time points. Questionnaires 1 and 5 were used and included data collection for kittens aged 2-4 months (T1) and at 2.

Retrospective study of the presentation, diagnosis and management of 16 cats with otitis media not due to nasopharyngeal polyp.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse retrospectively cats diagnosed with otitis media (OM) not due to nasopharyngeal polyp, and to review the clinical outcome with surgical and medical management.

Methods: Patient records were searched for cats diagnosed with OM. The diagnosis of OM was based on the presence of clinical signs, including neurological signs, respiratory signs and signs of otitis externa, and on the basis of evidence of thickened or irregular bullae walls, or the presence of fluid within the tympanic cavity in those that had diagnostic imaging.

Is treating anal furunculosis with 5 mg/kg ciclosporin once daily the optimal dosing schedule?

Critically Appraised Topics (CATs) are a standardised, succinct summary of research evidence organised around a clinical question, and a form of evidence synthesis used in the practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM). Access to CATs enables clinicians to incorporate evidence from the scientific literature into clinical practice and they have been used to teach EBVM at the University of Bristol's School of Veterinary Sciences since 2011. CATs from Bristol university will be regularly published in the Clinical Decision Making section of Veterinary Record.