Decoded genome could resurrect Tasmanian tiger
Scientists have decoded the ‘numbat’ genome, which could help create a blueprint to clone the Tasmanian tiger or ‘thylacine’. According to an article in The Conversation by Associate Professor Parwinder Kaur from the University of Western Australia, numbats and thylacines shared a common ancestor that lived sometime between 35 million and 41 million years ago – which is relatively recent in evolutionary terms. As much as 95% of their DNA may be identical.
“Decoding the full numbat genome therefore raises the tantalising prospect of being able to piece together the thylacine’s genetic sequence, which in turn would offer the tantalising prospect of reintroducing one of Australia’s most iconic lost species. No doubt this will be more challenging than the famous bid to resurrect the woolly mammoth using DNA from the Asian elephant. But the release of the numbat genome makes the thylacine’s resurrection a more realistic prospect than ever before,” said Associate Professor Kaur. Full story: The Conversation
New study on swallowed wooden skewers in dogs
Foreign body ingestion is a common reason for exploratory gastrointestinal surgery in dogs, but for those dogs unlucky enough to swallow a wooden skewer (or ‘kebab stick’) there’s the risk of the foreign body migrating outside of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to further complications. In a study recently published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP), researchers have described the clinical presentation, management and outcome of cases presenting with intrathoracic wooden skewers originating from the abdominal gastrointestinal tract in dogs.
The researchers concluded that, despite the challenges of managing wooden skewers penetrating the thoracic cavity from the gastrointestinal tract, the majority of the patients were stable enough to undergo diagnostic tests, surgical exploration and management with a low risk of morbidity and excellent short- and long-term prognosis. The study’s recommendation to refer such cases to a multidisciplinary specialist setting may be prudent due to the complex diagnostic and surgical requirements of these cases. Full story: JSAP
Equine veterinarian lectures rescheduled for July
Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) have announced that the 42nd Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures will now be held from Sunday, July 17th to Thursday, July 21st 2022 at the Pullman Hotel Albert Park in Melbourne. This year’s Bain Fallon features keynote speakers Dr Brian Anderson, Dr Chelsie Burden and Dr Angus McKinnon presenting on topics covering the upper airway and the reproductive system. In addition, more than ten other speakers will present a variety of equine-related topics.
The event’s social program incorporates a Tuesday night Casual Dinner in the Long Room of the MCG Members Pavilion, and a Gala Dinner celebrating EVA’s Belated 50th Birthday. “This year’s Bain Fallon will be more exciting than ever with something for everyone, from our wonderful scientific and social program to our world-class industry exhibition and unrivalled collegiality,” said EVA president Dr Steve Dennis. Full story: EVA
