Dr Cicilia Muller and Dr Nicolle Kirkwood

This project evaluates temporal artery thermometry as a non invasive alternative to rectal temperature measurement in cats and dogs. The aim is to determine whether a less intrusive approach can provide clinically useful information while improving patient welfare and supporting low stress handling. Findings may inform practical guidance for clinics seeking to adopt fear free and cat friendly techniques without compromising monitoring standards.

Dr Nicolle Kirkwood and Dr Cicilia Muller

This project is a survey of veterinarians in New South Wales to describe current recommendations for canine parvovirus vaccination in puppies. It aims to document real world protocols, including the timing of vaccine doses and the final puppy vaccination, and to explore factors influencing decision making. Findings will identify areas of consistency and variation across practice and highlight opportunities for clearer evidence based guidance and communication with owners, breeders and carers. The goal is to support preventative healthcare strategies that reduce the risk of vaccine preventable disease.

Dr Nicolle Kirkwood and Dr Cicilia Muller

This project is a Critically Appraised Topic that evaluates the available evidence on whether the timing of the final puppy vaccination affects protection against canine parvovirus. It focuses on clinically relevant outcomes, including serological response and the impact of maternal antibody interference, and considers how findings translate into practical vaccination advice. The aim is to synthesise current research to support evidence based recommendations for general practice and to inform consistent guidance for owners and breeders regarding the optimal timing of the final puppy vaccination.

Dr Cicilia Muller and Dr Nicolle Kirkwood

This education focused critically appraised topic examines the utility of the Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise in veterinary training, with a focus on workplace based assessment, feedback quality, and learner progression. The study aims to understand how the Mini CEX functions in authentic clinical settings and what implementation factors influence its educational value. Outcomes may guide refinement of assessment practices to better support students while maintaining standards of competence and professionalism.

Dr Nicolle Kirkwood and Dr Cicilia Muller

This project pilots an observational skills app to support real time assessment and feedback during veterinary clinical rotations. The aim is to make expectations explicit, improve documentation of observed performance across domains, and support timely coaching conversations. The project also explores how structured digital tools can assist consistency across supervisors and sites. Findings will inform refinement of the tool and broader implementation of technology enabled assessment in clinical education.

Dr Nicolle Kirkwood, Dr Jan Slapeta, Dr Michael P Ward

This project investigates shelters as critical hotspots for benzimidazole resistance in canine hookworms in Greater Sydney. Using residual diagnostic faecal samples, we will combine parasitological testing, deep amplicon sequencing and statistical modelling to determine the prevalence and genetic basis of resistance associated beta tubulin mutations. Preliminary data already indicate the F167Y resistance mutation in most samples. By linking resistance markers with dog demographics and shelter level factors, the study will generate local risk data and support development of a rapid diagnostic test for clinical use. The findings will guide evidence based parasite control and help prevent wider spread to pets and public spaces.