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    Surveying cytotoxic chemotherapy use in small animal cancer treatment: insights into use and influencing factors in New Zealand
    (Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, 2025-07-20) Northover S; Hill K; Cogger N; Isaksen K
    Aim: To determine how frequently cytotoxic chemotherapy is administered in small animal practice to treat cancer and the reasons why clinics and clinicians do or do not offer and administer chemotherapy in New Zealand. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving veterinarians working in small and mixed animal practice was performed using an online questionnaire distributed via social media and email. The survey included closed and open-ended questions on respondent demographics, frequency of chemotherapy administration, medications used, cancers treated, and factors influencing administration. Fisher's exact tests were used to assess associations between variables, and content analysis was applied to open-ended responses. Results: Completed questionnaires were returned by 164 veterinarians working in New Zealand during the study period. Of the 164 respondents, 131 (80%) stated that they would probably or definitely discuss cytotoxic chemotherapy with clients as a potential treatment option for small animals with cancer. Within the 12-months preceding July 2023, 56 (34%) respondents had personally administered chemotherapy and 96 (58.5%) worked at clinics where it was administered: 5 (3%) administered it weekly, 6 (4%) at least monthly, 21 (12.8%) every 1–6 months, and 22 (13.4%) every 6–12 months. The most common reason given for administering chemotherapy was to provide comprehensive care to the patient. Improving quality and quantity of life was frequently reported. The most common reason for not administering chemotherapy was referral of cases externally for treatment. Excluding referral, respondents stated they do not administer chemotherapy because of insufficient knowledge regarding chemotherapy and the medications used, or insufficient training in how to handle and administer cytotoxic medications. Of the veterinarians that do not currently perform chemotherapy, 40% and 42% would consider performing it if they had additional education in oncology and chemotherapy, and in the handling and administration of cytotoxic medications, respectively. Conclusion: Cytotoxic chemotherapy is frequently discussed as a treatment option by veterinarians in New Zealand but is currently administered by a smaller proportion. Decisions to use chemotherapy are guided by quality-of-life considerations and adherence to standards of care, while limited knowledge and training hinders its use by other clinicians. Clinical relevance: Chemotherapy is administered less frequently in New Zealand than in the UK. Continuing education and the development of resources that further clinicians' knowledge regarding oncology, chemotherapy, and safe drug handling and administration are needed to support wider adoption in clinical practice.
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    Therapy of Subclinical Mastitis during Lactation
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2022-02-07) McDougall S; Clausen LM; Hussein HM; Compton CWR; Krömker V
    This study tested the hypothesis that increasing the duration and/or frequency of antimicrobial treatment of subclinical mastitis would result in a higher bacteriological cure rate. Glands with a positive California mastitis test (CMT) from cows with an elevated somatic cell count (>500,000 cells/mL) that had an intramammary infection were randomly assigned at cow level to no treatment (Control; n = 80 glands), intramammary infusion of 200 mg cloxacillin sodium on three occasions at 48 h intervals (3 × 48 h; n = 273 glands), five occasions at 24 h intervals (5 × 24 h; n = 279 glands), or on five occasions at 48 h intervals (5 × 48 h; n = 72 glands). Glands were resampled at 21 (±3) and 28 (±3) days after initiation of treatment. The gland-level cure rate for any pathogen was 5/80 (6.2%), 139/173 (49.8%), 172/297 (61.6%) and 58/72 (80.6%) for Control, 3 × 48 h, 5 × 24 h and 5 × 48 h, respectively. The cure rate for major pathogens (defined as Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus spp.) was 4/52 (7.7%), 84/197 (42.6%), 96/183 (52.5%) and 36/48 (75%) for Control, 3 × 48 h, 5 × 24 h and 5 × 48 h, respectively. We conclude that treatment was superior to no treatment, and bacteriological cure rate was higher with the 5 × 24 h protocol than for the 3 × 48 h protocol and was higher with the 5 × 48 h than the 5 × 24 h protocol.