Increasing reports of zoonotic avian influenza virus (AIV) spillovers to mammals signal critical shift in their ecology and raise substantial public health concerns. The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has driven this expansion, with genetic adaptations enhancing replication in mammalian hosts. Adaptations have been identified in diverse carnivore species, including American mink (Neogale vison), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and otters (Lutra lutra). These carnivores often feed on, or share habitat with, wild birds, making them suitable species for monitoring AIV presence in mammals. Here we investigated exposure to influenza A viruses (IAVs), including H5 and H7 subtypes in three mesocarnivore species (red foxes, American mink, and European badgers) in Ireland. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, we detected a seroprevalence for IAVs of 24.6% (28/114) in foxes, 22.2% (2/9) in mink, and 1% (1/96) in badgers. Among red fox samples positive for antibodies against IAVs, 82.1% (23/28) were positive for antibodies against the H5 subtype. No antibodies against the H7 subtype were detected. We also examined the use of Nobuto filter paper as a reliable alternative to serum samples for IAVs antibody detection via ELISA and assessed the use of haemolysed serum samples. These findings, as well as those gathered from ongoing passive surveillance of wild birds, highlight that influenza A is circulating in wildlife in Ireland. If we are to better understand influenza A dynamics in Ireland, and globally, it is imperative that surveillance programmes are supported, and serosurveys provide one valuable tool for active surveillance.

Background: The presence of a tracheal septum dividing the trachea into two makes intubation one of the main challenges of penguin anaesthesia. Differences in the length and location of the aforementioned tracheal septum have been described in some penguin species. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it has not been reported in Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti). Therefore, one of the aims of this publication is to report the septal position in this Humboldt penguin. Furthermore, this publication describes the anaesthetic protocol and complications encountered and discusses some of the more important features of penguin anaesthesia. It is anticipated that this case report will aid in future procedures requiring anaesthesia of this penguin species. Case presentation: A 25-year-old female Humboldt penguin was anaesthetized at the University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital for radiographs and computed tomography (CT) following three weeks of inappetence. After assessing the health status of the penguin from the clinical history and performing a physical examination, an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score of II was assigned and a combination of butorphanol 1 mg/kg and midazolam 1 mg/kg was administered intramuscularly to sedate the penguin. Induction of anaesthesia was performed via a face mask using sevoflurane in oxygen. The airway was intubated with a 4.0 mm Cole tube and anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen during the entire procedure. Anaesthetic monitoring consisted of an electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure, capnography, and body temperature. Conclusions: Tracheal bifurcation was identified as the start of the tracheal septum 4.67 cm from the glottis using CT. Most of the anticipated complications of penguin anaesthesia, such as hyperthermia, hypothermia, regurgitation, hypoventilation, and difficulties in intubation were present in this case. However, no major sequalae occurred following the anaesthetic protocol described.

Wildlife species are often captured in ecological studies to take morphometric measurements, collect biological samples and/or fit animal‐attached tags to collect data on movement and behaviour. Capture may be difficult depending on the target species, with implications for the effort required by field teams, overall capture success and study goals. Though routine practice, wildlife captures have important welfare implications which should be carefully considered prior to each study. Full details on capture protocols are rarely shared with the international community, often limited to short descriptions in the methods sections of papers. More detailed information sharing can improve knowledge on methods that lead to increased or reduced capture success, saving researcher time and resources and, most importantly, boosting animal welfare. Here, we share detailed capture protocols for improving trapping success and optimising welfare protocols for our trap‐shy target species, the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ). We report on the methodological refinements used to successfully trap urban red foxes in Dublin, Ireland ( n = 16 captures), as well as related efforts as part of a pilot study in rural Tuscany, Italy ( n = 3). We recommend setting multiple capture sites but caution against prolonged time spent in traps for foxes. Remote transmission camera traps and remote trap alert systems are highly recommended, wherever possible, to remotely monitor multiple trapping sites at once with reduced disturbance and to facilitate quick arrival at capture sites. We discuss a cheap, lightweight collar drop‐off solution to negate the need for a second capture for collar retrieval. In Dublin, we found the likelihood of capturing a fox was significantly affected by rainfall but not temperature. We conclude with an easy‐to‐consult checklist, providing advice on trap setting, pre‐baiting, collar drop‐offs and weather conditions to aid researchers embarking on the capture of foxes and other difficult‐to‐trap species, particularly in urban areas with high levels of human activity.

To evaluate the isoflurane-sparing effect and the intra- and postoperative analgesic efficacy of an ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in pigs undergoing elective laparoscopic ovariectomy. Prospective, randomised, blinded clinical study ANIMALS: A total of 35 female pigs. Pigs were randomly allocated to TAP or control groups. Premedication consisted of azaperone 1 mg kg^-1, xylazine 1.5 mg kg^-1, butorphanol 0.2 mg kg^-1, and ketamine 5 mg kg^-1 intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was induced with ketamine ± thiopental intravenously and maintained with isoflurane. A three-injection-point per hemiabdomen ultrasound-guided TAP block was performed with 1% lidocaine, 0.1 mL kg^-1 per point. No sham injection was performed in controls. Baseline heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded before surgery at 1.0% end-tidal isoflurane (FE´Iso). Anaesthetic requirements were adjusted by a blinded investigator if HR and MAP deviated 20% from baseline. Ketamine 1 mg kg^-1 was administered for ventilator asynchrony. Postoperative pain was assessed using the UNESP-Botucatu pig composite acute pain scale. Pigs scoring ≥ 6/18 were given oral paracetamol 30 mg kg^-1. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. After excluding nine pigs,12 were analysed in the TAP group and 14 in the control group. No statistically significant difference was found comparing overall isoflurane requirements (mean ± standard deviation FE´Iso area-under-the-curve: 7.12 ± 0.89 versus 7.19 ± 1.04 in TAP and control groups, respectively p = 0.775). Median postoperative pain scores (interquartile range) were 1 (1-4) in the TAP group and 1 (0-2) in controls. No significant differences were found in rescue analgesia requirements intra- (p = 0.759) or postoperatively (p = 0.867). Ultrasound-guided TAP block is a feasible technique in pigs. With the methodology used, no isoflurane-sparing effect of the TAP block was detected.