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Associate Professor Merran Govendir

BVSc (Hons I), PhD, MACVSc, MEd(Higher Education), fHERDSA
Associate Professor, Veterinary Pharmacology Associate Dean of Postgraduate Studies

B14 - Mcmaster Building
The University of Sydney

Telephone +61 2 9351 5442
Fax +61 2 9351 3056

Biographical details

Associate Professor Merran Govendir has focused on conducting clinical projects that have direct relevance to improving animal health. Her recent work has concentrated on clinical pharmacology. She was first investigator to publish a clinical trial in epileptic dogs to ascertain whether the human anticonvulsant drug gabapentin, reduced seizure activity. She was a member of an anaesthesia unit which was the first to publish a clinical trial using the agent sevoflurane in cats and ferrets, establishing sevoflurane as a new and useful agent for fast general anaesthetic inductions in small animals. Her most recent publications involved quantification of the development in resistance of common feline and canine bacterial pathogens to the fluoroquinolone therapeutic drugs and reporting on the susceptibility of Rapidly Growing Mycobacteria spp. (that cause skin diseases in cats and dogs) to the human fluoroquinolone moxifloxacin and the new veterinary registered fluoroquinolone pradofloxacin.

Due to her ability assay concentrations of antibiotic concentrations in biological fluids she was invited to join the Faculty group investigation the treatment of chlamydiosis and cryptococcosis in koalas. With her PhD students, she has found that many drugs given to koalas at the recommended dose rate and dosing frequency are not reaching therapeutic concentrations. She hypothesises that the koala has poor oral drug absorption and that the koala uses it very active liver enzymes (required to detoxify their very toxic Eucalypt diet) to rapidly eliminate many drugs. Preliminary studies also indicate that koalas have very poor oral drug absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. This research will ultimately result in her group making recommendations to improve the dose rates and dosage frequencies of drugs used in koalas.

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Research interests

Veterinary pharmacology Histology Anaesthesia

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Teaching and supervision

Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology Aspects of Pharmacy Practice for veterinarians

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Themes

Wildlife Health and Conservation; Animal Health

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Selected grants

2012

  • Optimising a commercial enzyme immunoassay to detect prostaglandin E2 in possum and koala plasma to determine the efficacy of nonsteroidal drugs in these species; Govendir M; Whitehead Bequest in Wildlife Welfare/Faculty of Veterinary Science Bequest.
  • Biological variation of feline plasma biochemistry analytes; Govendir M; Deans Discretion Funds/Faculty of Veterinary Science Bequest.

2011

  • Investigation into 'P-glycoprotein' efflux pumps expression and density in the gastrointestinal tract of koalas; Govendir M; Winifred Scott Foundation/Research Support.

2010

  • Investigation into the significance of biomarkers in koala blood, as detected by liquid chromatography, to identify infectious disease and response to treatment; Govendir M; DVC Research/Thompson Fellowships.
  • Oral absorption and deposition of xenobiotics in the koala; Govendir M; WP Richards Award in Veterinary Pathology/Faculty of Veterinary Science Bequest.
  • Comparison of veterinary in-house biochemistry analysers with feline plasma samples; Govendir M; Dorothy Minchin Bequest/Faculty of Veterinary Science Bequest.

2008

  • Sponsorship of the Koala Project - testing the efficacy of Metacam (meloxicam) in koalas; Govendir M, Johnson L; Boehringer Ingelheim/Research Support.
  • investigated the significance of hypertriglyceridaemia in epileptic dogs medicated daily with phenobarbitone; Govendir M; J.M. and J.R Stewart Legacy/Faculty of Veterinary Science Bequest.
  • the role of hypertriglyceridaemia in epileptic dogs medicated with phenobarbitone and potassium bromide; Govendir M; Thea Jean Schnakenberg /Faculty of Veterinary Science Bequest.

2007

  • Investigation into gastrointestinal absorption of xenobiotics by the koala; Krockenberger M, Hemsley S, Higgins D, Canfield P, Malik (Krochmalik) R, Govendir M; Hermon Slade Foundation/Research Grants.
  • Long term use of phenobarbitone in canine idiopathic epilepsy (part II); Govendir M; Canine Research foundation/Research Grants.
  • Investigation into susceptibility of selected canine bacterial pathogens to newer antimicrobial agents; Govendir M; J.M. and J.R Stewart Legacy/Faculty of Veterinary Science Bequest.
  • Postgraduate Education in Animal Breeding Management; Forsyth H, Govendir M; Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd/Research and Development Grant.
  • Investigation into susceptibility of selected canine bacterial pathogens to newer antimicrobial agents; Govendir M; Thea Jean Schnakenberg /Faculty of Veterinary Science Bequest.

2006

  • Investigation into systematic differences in serum cholesterol, lipoprotein, triglyceride and other serum analytes in dog breeds prone to idiopathic epilepsy; Govendir M; Waltham Foundation/Waltham Foundation Research Grants Program.
  • Susceptibilities of canine and feline bacterial pathogens to fluroquinolones and other selected antimicrobial agents; Govendir M; Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation/Research Grants Program.

2005

  • Prevention and treatment of chlamydiosis and cryptococcosis in koalas; Krockenberger M, Canfield P, Govendir M, Hemsley S, Malik (Krochmalik) R; Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage.
  • Investigation into the long-term use of phenobarbitone in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy; Govendir M; Canine Research foundation/Grants.

2003

  • Improving therapeutic control os seizures in dogs; Govendir M; Canine Research foundation/Research Grants.
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Selected publications

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Journals

  • Bennett, A., Martin, P., Gottlieb, S., Govendir, M. (2013). n vitro susceptibilities of feline and canine Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas spp. isolates to ticarcillin and ticarcillin–clavulanic acid. Australian Veterinary Journal, 91(5), 171-178.
  • Black, L., McLachlan, A., Griffith, J., Higgins, D., Gillett, A., Krockenberger, M., Govendir, M. (2013). Pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol following administration of intravenous and subcutaneous chlormphenicol sodium succinate, and subcutaneous chloramphenicol, to koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
  • Kimble, B., Li, K., Govendir, M. (2013). Quantitation of meloxicam in the plasma of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) by improved high performance liquid chromatography. Journal of Veterinary Science, 14(1), 7-14.
  • Govendir, M., Hanger, J., Loader, J., Kimble, B., Griffith, J., Black, L., Krockenberger, M., Higgins, D. (2012). Plasma concentrations of the Chloramphenicol after subcutaneous administration to koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with chlamydiosis. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 35(2), 147-154.
  • Govendir, M., Hanger, J., Loader, J., Kimble, B., Griffith, J., Black, L., Krockenberger, M., Higgins, D. (2011). Plasma concentratrations of chloramphenicol after subcutaneous administration to koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with chlamydiosis. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 35, 147-154.
  • Govendir, M., Norris, J., Hansen, T., Wigney, D., Muscatello, G., Trott, D., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2011). Susceptibility of rapidly growing mycobacteria and Nocardia isolates from cats and dogs to pradofloxacin. Veterinary Microbiology, 153(3-4), 240-245.
  • Govendir, M., Hansen, T., Kimble, B., Norris, J., Baral, R., Wigney, D., Gottlieb, S., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2011). Susceptibility of rapidly growing mycobacteria isolated from cats and dogs, to ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Veterinary Microbiology, 147(1-2), 113-118.
  • Griffith, J., Higgins, D., Li, K., Krockenberger, M., Govendir, M. (2010). Absorption of enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin after oral and subcutaneous administration in diseased koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 33(doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2010.01169.x.), 595-604.
  • Kluger, E., Dhand, N., Baral, R., Snow, D., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Govendir, M. (2010). Assessment of the Accutrend GCT and PTS CardioChek meters to measure blood triglyceride concentrations in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 12(6), 458-465.
  • Kluger, E., Dhand, N., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Ilkin, W., Snow, D., Govendir, M. (2010). Evaluation of two portable meters for determination of blood triglyceride concentration in dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 71(2), 203-210.
  • Reppas, G., Nosworthy, P., Hansen, T., Govendir, M., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2010). Inguinal panniculitis in a young Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) caused by Mycobacterium mageritense. Australian Veterinary Journal, 88(5), 197-200.
  • Malik (Krochmalik), R., Ward, M., Seavers, A., Fawcett, A., Bell, E., Govendir, M., Page, S. (2010). Permethrin spot-on intoxication of cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 12(1), 5-14.
  • Kluger, E., Caslake, M., Baral, R., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Govendir, M. (2010). Preliminary post-prandial studies of Burmese cats with elevated triglyceride concentrations and/or presumed lipid aqueous. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 12(8), 621-630.
  • Kluger, E., Hardman, C., Govendir, M., Baral, R., Sullivan, D., Snow, D., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2009). Triglyceride response following an oral fat tolerance test in Burmese cats, other pedigree cats and domestic crossbred cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 11(2), 82-90.
  • Kluger, E., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Govendir, M. (2009). Veterinarians' preferences for anticonvulsant drugs for treating seizure disorders in dogs and cats. Australian Veterinary Journal, 87(11), 445-449.
  • Kluger, E., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Ilkin, W., Snow, D., Sullivan, D., Govendir, M. (2008). Serum triglyceride concentration in dogs with epilepsy treated with phenobarbital or with phenobarbital and bromide. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 233(8), 1270-1277.
  • Gottlieb, S., Wigney, D., Martin, P., Norris, J., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Govendir, M. (2008). Susceptibility of Canine and feline Esherichia coli and Canine Staphylococcus intermedius isolates to fluoroquinolones. Australian Veterinary Journal, 86(4), 147-152.
  • Wilson, B., Norris, J., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Martin, P., Wigney, D., Baral, R., Govendir, M. (2006). Susceptibility of bacteria from feline and canine urinary tract infections to doxycycline and tetracycline concentrations attained in urine four hours after oral dosage. Australian Veterinary Journal, 84(1 & 2), 8-11.
  • Govendir, M., Perkins, M., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2005). Improving seizure control in dogs with refractory epilepsy using gabapentin as an adjuctive agent. Australian Veterinary Journal, 83(10), 602-608.
  • Zaki, S., Tzannes, S., Govendir, M., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2005). Induction, maintenance and recovery of aneasthesia in the ferret using sevoflurane. Australian Veterinary Practitioner, 35(4), 139-147.
  • Tan, C., Govendir, M., Zaki, S., Miyake, Y., Packiarajah, P., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2004). Evaluation Of Four Warming Procedures To Minimise Heat Loss Induced By Anaesthesia And Surgery In Dogs. Australian Veterinary Journal, 82(1-2), 65-68.
  • Govendir, M., Canfield, P., Church, D. (2003). Cellular proliferation in the canine pancreas after d,l-ethionine dosage as detected by double immunohistochemical labelling. Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, 55(2-3), 129-135.
  • Govendir, M., Canfield, P., Church, D. (2002). Effect of d, l-ethionine administration on the histomorphology of canine pancreatic acinar and B cells. Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, 54, 77-83.
  • Govendir, M., Canfield, P., Emslie, D., Church, D., Watson, A. (2002). Evaluation of d, l-ethionine as a mechanism for pancreatic islet regeneration in dogs. Australian Veterinary Journal, 80(1-2), 75-82.

Conferences

  • Krockenberger, M., Canfield, P., Saul, N., Jobbins, S., Govendir, M., Kimble, B., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2011). Pathogenesis and Epidemiology of Cryptococcosis in Animals: Implications for Understanding Human Cryptococcosis. 3rd AVA/NZVA Pan Pacific Veterinary Conference, Australia: SciQuest.
  • Krockenberger, M., Saul, N., Jobbins, S., Govendir, M., Kimble, B., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2010). Koala Cryptococcosis: Comparative Pathology as a Tool for Understanding Human Disease. 50th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC 2010), USA: Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC).
  • Govendir, M., Ginns, P., Symons, R., Tammen, I. (2009). Improving the research higher degree experience at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney. Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) Annual Conference 2009, Sydney, NSW: HERDSA Inc.
  • Hemsley, S., Krockenberger, M., Belov, K., Canfield, P., Carter, D., Govendir, M., Griffith, J., Higgins, D., Jobbins, S., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Saul, N., et al (2006). Update on Koala Research at the University of Sydney. Wildlife Disease Association (Australasian Section) Annual Meeting 2008, Australia: Wildlife Disease Association (Australasian Section).

2013

  • Bennett, A., Martin, P., Gottlieb, S., Govendir, M. (2013). n vitro susceptibilities of feline and canine Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas spp. isolates to ticarcillin and ticarcillin–clavulanic acid. Australian Veterinary Journal, 91(5), 171-178.
  • Black, L., McLachlan, A., Griffith, J., Higgins, D., Gillett, A., Krockenberger, M., Govendir, M. (2013). Pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol following administration of intravenous and subcutaneous chlormphenicol sodium succinate, and subcutaneous chloramphenicol, to koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
  • Kimble, B., Li, K., Govendir, M. (2013). Quantitation of meloxicam in the plasma of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) by improved high performance liquid chromatography. Journal of Veterinary Science, 14(1), 7-14.

2012

  • Govendir, M., Hanger, J., Loader, J., Kimble, B., Griffith, J., Black, L., Krockenberger, M., Higgins, D. (2012). Plasma concentrations of the Chloramphenicol after subcutaneous administration to koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with chlamydiosis. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 35(2), 147-154.

2011

  • Krockenberger, M., Canfield, P., Saul, N., Jobbins, S., Govendir, M., Kimble, B., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2011). Pathogenesis and Epidemiology of Cryptococcosis in Animals: Implications for Understanding Human Cryptococcosis. 3rd AVA/NZVA Pan Pacific Veterinary Conference, Australia: SciQuest.
  • Govendir, M., Hanger, J., Loader, J., Kimble, B., Griffith, J., Black, L., Krockenberger, M., Higgins, D. (2011). Plasma concentratrations of chloramphenicol after subcutaneous administration to koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with chlamydiosis. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 35, 147-154.
  • Govendir, M., Norris, J., Hansen, T., Wigney, D., Muscatello, G., Trott, D., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2011). Susceptibility of rapidly growing mycobacteria and Nocardia isolates from cats and dogs to pradofloxacin. Veterinary Microbiology, 153(3-4), 240-245.
  • Govendir, M., Hansen, T., Kimble, B., Norris, J., Baral, R., Wigney, D., Gottlieb, S., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2011). Susceptibility of rapidly growing mycobacteria isolated from cats and dogs, to ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Veterinary Microbiology, 147(1-2), 113-118.

2010

  • Griffith, J., Higgins, D., Li, K., Krockenberger, M., Govendir, M. (2010). Absorption of enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin after oral and subcutaneous administration in diseased koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 33(doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2010.01169.x.), 595-604.
  • Kluger, E., Dhand, N., Baral, R., Snow, D., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Govendir, M. (2010). Assessment of the Accutrend GCT and PTS CardioChek meters to measure blood triglyceride concentrations in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 12(6), 458-465.
  • Kluger, E., Dhand, N., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Ilkin, W., Snow, D., Govendir, M. (2010). Evaluation of two portable meters for determination of blood triglyceride concentration in dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 71(2), 203-210.
  • Reppas, G., Nosworthy, P., Hansen, T., Govendir, M., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2010). Inguinal panniculitis in a young Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) caused by Mycobacterium mageritense. Australian Veterinary Journal, 88(5), 197-200.
  • Krockenberger, M., Saul, N., Jobbins, S., Govendir, M., Kimble, B., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2010). Koala Cryptococcosis: Comparative Pathology as a Tool for Understanding Human Disease. 50th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC 2010), USA: Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC).
  • Malik (Krochmalik), R., Ward, M., Seavers, A., Fawcett, A., Bell, E., Govendir, M., Page, S. (2010). Permethrin spot-on intoxication of cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 12(1), 5-14.
  • Kluger, E., Caslake, M., Baral, R., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Govendir, M. (2010). Preliminary post-prandial studies of Burmese cats with elevated triglyceride concentrations and/or presumed lipid aqueous. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 12(8), 621-630.

2009

  • Govendir, M., Ginns, P., Symons, R., Tammen, I. (2009). Improving the research higher degree experience at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney. Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) Annual Conference 2009, Sydney, NSW: HERDSA Inc.
  • Kluger, E., Hardman, C., Govendir, M., Baral, R., Sullivan, D., Snow, D., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2009). Triglyceride response following an oral fat tolerance test in Burmese cats, other pedigree cats and domestic crossbred cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 11(2), 82-90.
  • Kluger, E., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Govendir, M. (2009). Veterinarians' preferences for anticonvulsant drugs for treating seizure disorders in dogs and cats. Australian Veterinary Journal, 87(11), 445-449.

2008

  • Kluger, E., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Ilkin, W., Snow, D., Sullivan, D., Govendir, M. (2008). Serum triglyceride concentration in dogs with epilepsy treated with phenobarbital or with phenobarbital and bromide. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 233(8), 1270-1277.
  • Gottlieb, S., Wigney, D., Martin, P., Norris, J., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Govendir, M. (2008). Susceptibility of Canine and feline Esherichia coli and Canine Staphylococcus intermedius isolates to fluoroquinolones. Australian Veterinary Journal, 86(4), 147-152.

2006

  • Wilson, B., Norris, J., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Martin, P., Wigney, D., Baral, R., Govendir, M. (2006). Susceptibility of bacteria from feline and canine urinary tract infections to doxycycline and tetracycline concentrations attained in urine four hours after oral dosage. Australian Veterinary Journal, 84(1 & 2), 8-11.
  • Hemsley, S., Krockenberger, M., Belov, K., Canfield, P., Carter, D., Govendir, M., Griffith, J., Higgins, D., Jobbins, S., Malik (Krochmalik), R., Saul, N., et al (2006). Update on Koala Research at the University of Sydney. Wildlife Disease Association (Australasian Section) Annual Meeting 2008, Australia: Wildlife Disease Association (Australasian Section).

2005

  • Govendir, M., Perkins, M., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2005). Improving seizure control in dogs with refractory epilepsy using gabapentin as an adjuctive agent. Australian Veterinary Journal, 83(10), 602-608.
  • Zaki, S., Tzannes, S., Govendir, M., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2005). Induction, maintenance and recovery of aneasthesia in the ferret using sevoflurane. Australian Veterinary Practitioner, 35(4), 139-147.

2004

  • Tan, C., Govendir, M., Zaki, S., Miyake, Y., Packiarajah, P., Malik (Krochmalik), R. (2004). Evaluation Of Four Warming Procedures To Minimise Heat Loss Induced By Anaesthesia And Surgery In Dogs. Australian Veterinary Journal, 82(1-2), 65-68.

2003

  • Govendir, M., Canfield, P., Church, D. (2003). Cellular proliferation in the canine pancreas after d,l-ethionine dosage as detected by double immunohistochemical labelling. Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, 55(2-3), 129-135.

2002

  • Govendir, M., Canfield, P., Church, D. (2002). Effect of d, l-ethionine administration on the histomorphology of canine pancreatic acinar and B cells. Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, 54, 77-83.
  • Govendir, M., Canfield, P., Emslie, D., Church, D., Watson, A. (2002). Evaluation of d, l-ethionine as a mechanism for pancreatic islet regeneration in dogs. Australian Veterinary Journal, 80(1-2), 75-82.
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