Publications by authors named "S M Firestone"

Article Synopsis
  • Domestic rabbits have a higher perioperative mortality rate (2.05%) compared to dogs and cats, mainly due to cardiovascular and respiratory complications, making understanding anaesthetic risks crucial.
  • Data from 1,757 rabbits undergoing anaesthesia revealed that poorer health status (ASA score), non-routine procedures, and certain physical traits (like being under 1 kg or a Netherland Dwarf breed) significantly increased mortality risks.
  • Using a supraglottic airway device was found to lower mortality risk compared to endotracheal tubes or masks, and a medetomidine-based anaesthetic protocol was safer than one based on fentanyl.
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Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious disease currently spreading worldwide and poses a serious global threat. However, there is limited evidence and understanding to support the use of models to inform decision-making in LSD outbreak responses. This review aimed to identify modelling approaches that can be used before and during an outbreak of LSD, examining their characteristics and priorities, and proposing a structured workflow.

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Article Synopsis
  • Brucella suis infection in dogs is a growing concern globally, necessitating specific management due to zoonotic and animal welfare risks.
  • This study evaluated the effectiveness of three serological tests (RBRPT, CFT, C-ELISA) on 989 dog serum samples to diagnose Brucella suis, using advanced statistical techniques to interpret results.
  • Results showed that while all tests are useful for detecting B. suis antibodies, they should not be used alone; their accuracy depends on the likelihood of the disease based on the dog's background and clinical signs.
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Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed zoonotic protist, capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals. In Australia, cats (Felis catus) are the only definitive host capable of spreading T. gondii infection via oocysts.

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Q fever is an important zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution. Outbreaks of Q fever are unpredictable and can affect many people, resulting in a significant burden on public health. The epidemiology of the disease is complex and substantial efforts are required to understand and control Q fever outbreaks.

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