Distinguished Veterinarian Honored

Media release

9 July 2007

Distinguished Veterinarian Honored

Lloyd Whitten has been awarded Honorary Life Membership of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) for his outstanding contribution to the veterinarian profession, agriculture and the association.

Veterinarians, veterinary nurses and industry delegates from around the country were at the presentation of the award at a dinner in Christchurch on Saturday as part of the three day NZVA annual conference which finished on Sunday.

NZVA president John Maclachlan says Dr Whitten is one of New Zealand’s most distinguished veterinarians. He is renowned throughout the world for his work in parasitology.

“Lloyd has researched and published on a wide range of parasites and their control,” says John. “His work has had enormous benefit to animal production and the agricultural economy in New Zealand.”

Australian born Dr Whitten graduated from the University of Sydney in 1938 and in 1941 was appointed parasitologist at Wallaceville Animal Research Station in Upper Hutt. He decided his first priority would be the control of flystrike before turning his attention to internal parasites.

At a time when little was known about parasitic burdens, finding an effective treatment was a high priority. Dr Whitten was the first person in the Southern Hemisphere to trial phenothiazine on sheep. The bright green paste was developed as a dye which proved safe and effective in killing parasites. He was also involved in identifying its effectiveness against parasites in cattle.

During his career Dr Whitten conducted research into all the main internal parasitic diseases of farm animals.

He has been an active member of the NZVA throughout his career and was the editor of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal for many years. Although now in his 90s, Dr Whitten is still seen regularly at veterinary meetings.

ENDS

© Scoop Media