Leptospirosis is an emerging infectious disease of pig-hunting dogs and humans in North Queensland.

Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution, caused by pathogenic serovars in the genus Leptospira. Feral pigs are known carriers of Leptospira species and pig hunting using dogs is a common recreational activity in Queensland, Australia.

Methodology And Principal Findings: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp.

Multiple diagnostic tests demonstrate an increased risk of canine heartworm disease in northern Queensland, Australia.

Background: Canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a life-threatening infection of dogs with a global distribution. Information on the prevalence of D. immitis and associated risk factors for canine heartworm antigen positivity-and thus disease-in Australia is scarce or outdated.

Pig-hunting dogs are an at-risk population for canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in eastern Australia.

Background: Canine heartworm disease, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, has global veterinary importance. In Australia, the prevalence of canine heartworm infection decreased markedly following the introduction of over-the-counter macrocyclic lactones. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of canine heartworm infection in at-risk populations of dogs in eastern Australia and analyse published prevalence data from Australia.

The Welfare of Pig-Hunting Dogs in Australia.

Hunting feral pigs using dogs is a popular recreational activity in Australia. Dogs are used to flush, chase, bail, and hold feral pigs, and their use for these activities is legal in some states and territories and illegal in others. However, there is little knowledge about the health and welfare of dogs owned specifically for the purpose of pig hunting.

A Survey of Veterinarian Attitudes Toward Prepubertal Desexing of Dogs and Cats in the Australian Capital Territory.

Prepubertal desexing (neutering) has been a legal requirement for all cats and dogs in the Australian Capital Territory since 2001. All cats have to be desexed by 3 months of age, and all dogs are required to be desexed by 6 months of age. The role of veterinary attitudes and behaviors in the implementation of mandatory prepubertal desexing in the Australian Capital Territory is explored in this paper.

Investigating the Impact of Indemnity Waivers on the Length of Stay of Cats at an Australian Shelter.

Due to resource limitations, animal shelters in Australia historically have focused on rehoming animals considered 'highly adoptable'. Increasingly, animal shelters in Australia are rehoming animals with pre-existing medical and/or behavioural issues. These animals are often rehomed with an 'indemnity waiver' to transfer the responsibility of ongoing financial costs associated with these conditions from the shelter to the new owner.