Polio-encephalomalacia of sheep

Abstract

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Increasing references have been made in the recent veterinary literature to malacic diseases of the nervous system in sheep and other animals. Plowright (1954 Cordy, D. R. 19S4. J. Neuropath., 13: 330–330.  [Google Scholar]) and Innes and Plowright (1955 Hartley, W. J. 1956. N.Z.vet.J., 4: 129–129. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) have described a focal symmetrical spinal poliomalacia of unknown aetiology in sheep in Kenya. In the U.S.A., Cordy (1954 Haymaker, W., Ginzler, A. M. and Ferguson, R. L. 1952. Military Surgeon, 111: 231–231.  [Google Scholar]) has described a focal symmetrical encephalomalacia of horses following the ingestion of a species of thistle, and Jensen et al. (1956 Hurst, E. W. 1940. Aust. J. exp. Biol. med. Sci., 18: 201–201.  [Google Scholar]) have described an idiopathic polio-encephalomalacia in cattle and sheep. In New Zealand, Hartley (1956 Innes, J. R. M. and Plowright, W. 1955. J. Neuropath., 14: 185–185.  [Google Scholar]) has described a focal symmetrical encephalomalacia (F.S.E.) of lambs that may be related to the sublethal effects of the toxin of Clostridium perfringens (welchii) Type D. Smith (1957 Jensen, Rue, Griner, L. A. and Adams, O. R. 1956. J. Amer. vet. med. Ass., 129: 311–311. [PubMed] , [Google Scholar]) has described widespread lesions of polio-encephalomalacia together with eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in sodium chloride poisoning of swine.     

An indirect haemagglutination test for the detection of Brucella ovis antibodies

Abstract

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Surveys on perinatal infection in lambs in New Zealand have been reported and the pathology and bacteriology of the conditions described (Hartley and Boyes, 1955 Hartley, W. J. and Boyes, Betty W. 1955. Proc. N.Z. Soc. anim. Prod., 15: 120–120.  [Google Scholar], 1964 Hartley, W. J. and Boyes, Betty W. 1964. N.Z. vet J., 12: 33–33. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]; McFarlane, 1955 McFarlane, D. 1955. Proc. N.Z. Soc. anim. Prod., 15: 104–104.  [Google Scholar]; Hartley and Kater, 1964 Hartley, W. J. and Kater, Joan C. 1964. N.Z. vet. J., 12: 49–49. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). Potentially pathogenic organisms were isolated from 58 to 288 lambs from five flocks, Clostridium septicum being isolated from five of these cases (Hartley and Boyes, 1955 Hartley, W. J. and Boyes, Betty W. 1955. Proc. N.Z. Soc. anim. Prod., 15: 120–120.  [Google Scholar]). In another survey, 5.5% of lambs born dead or dying up to 4 weeks of age died from navel infection. Clostridium septicum was isolated from 69% of 48 consecutive cases (Hartley and Boyes, 1964 Hartley, W. J. and Boyes, Betty W. 1964. N.Z. vet J., 12: 33–33. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). McFarlane (1955 McFarlane, D. 1955. Proc. N.Z. Soc. anim. Prod., 15: 104–104.  [Google Scholar]) recorded that 7.3% of perinatal mortality was due to navel infection but no bacteriology was carried out nor was the organism suspected stated. On individual farms, up to 15% of lambs recorded died from navel ill. It should be pointed out that, in this survey, only small numbers of lambs were received from some properties.     

leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo vaccination against leptospira interrogans serovar balcanica infection

Abstract

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Sir, — Leptospira interrogans serovar balcanica is now recognised as a widespread infection among opossums in New Zealand ⁽²⁾ Hathaway, S. C, Blackmore, D. K. and Marshall, R. B. 1978. The serologic and cultural prevalence of Leptospira interrogans serovar balcanica in opossums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand. J. Wild Dis., 14: 345–350. [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] and the possibility of domestic stock acting as accidental hosts has recently been demonstrated. ⁽³⁾ Mackintosh, C. G., Marshall, R. B. and Blackmore, D. K. 1980. Leptospira interrogans serovar balcanica in cattle. N.Z. vet. J., 28: 268–268. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] With the recent development of hardjo vaccines ⁽¹⁾ Flint, S. H. and Liardet, D. M. 1980. A Trivalent leptospiral vaccine with emphasis on a Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo component to prevent leptospiruria. N.Z. vet. J., 28: 263–266. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] ⁽⁴⁾ Marshall, R. B., Broughton, E. S. and Hellstrom, J. S. 1979. Protection of cattle against natural challenge with Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo using a hardjo - pomona vaccine. N.Z. vet. J., 27: 114–116. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] for controlling infection with this serovar in the maintenance hosts, stock could be left vulnerable to infection with other prevalent serovars such as balcanica.     

Effect of infestation by nematodes of the family Trichostrongylidae upon the liveweight gain and wool production of young sheep

Abstract

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Much work has been, carried out in New Zealand to ascertain the response in young sheep to drenching with anthelmintics (for review see Whitten, 1954 Brown, H. D., Matzuk, A. K., Iives, I. R., Peterson, L. H., Harris, S. A., Sarett, L. H., Egerton, J. R., Yakstis, J. J., Campbell, W. C. and Cuckler, A. C. 1961. J. Amer. chem. Soc, 83: 1764–1764. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Clarke &; Filmer (1958) Brunsdon, R. V. 1960. N.Z. vet. J., 9: 13–13.  [Google Scholar] have also examined response to drenching in their studies on hogget' ill-thrift. As Whitten (1954) Clarke, E. A. and Filmer, D. B. 1958. N.Z. J. agric. Res., 1: 382–382. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar] has shown, results of past drenching trials have been extremely variable. In some cases little or no response has been observed, in others considerable increases; in weight gains have been achieved. More recently, Robertson (1963) Gordon, H. McL. 1961. Nature, 191: 1409–1409. [Lond.] [Google Scholar] has summarized the results of part of an extensive series of country-wide post-weaning drenching trials conducted by the Department of Agriculture with the new anthelmintic thiabendazole. In those trials consistent, weight gain responses were recorded in favour of the drenched animals. However, most of the published data are from trials involving strategic drenching programmes designed to control or limit infestation rather than to suppress completely, patent infestation. Most of these trials have been confined to late summer, autumn and winter, and few have attempted to cover the entire first year of young sheep. Furthermore, little attempt has hitherto been made to correlate responses obtained with the changing degree and species composition of infestation throughout the course of the trial.     

A survey of new zealand cattle sera for antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus

Abstract

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Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus has been associated with respiratory infection (Webster and Manktelow, 1959 Webster, R. C. and Manktelow, B. W. 1959. Some; observations on bovine rhinotracheitis in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 7: 143–148. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) and genital infections (Manktelow and Hansen, 1961 Manketlow, B. W. and Hansen, N. F. 1961. The isolation of a cytopathic agent resembling the virus of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis from an outbreak of pustular vulvovaginitis in cattle. N.Z. vet. J., 9: 136–140.  [Google Scholar]) in New Zealand. The possible role of IBR virus in abortion has been reviewed by Durham (1974 Durham, P. J. K. 1974. Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virusand its role in bovine abortion. N.Z. vet. J., 22: 175–179. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]).     

A sheep mortality survey in Hawke's bay

Abstract

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Disease surveillance systems can take many forms, depending upon what is desired of them. Surveys of mortality can be useful as an integral part of any surveillance system, both as a record of the losses and as an indication as to which conditions may be responsible for lowering the thrift of the population. Both these sources of loss are important in reducing the monetary return from a stock population as a whole. Surveys of mortality can indicate the importance of low incidence diseases and can be used to identify conditions previously unknown in the area. Totally new diseases can also be detected in this manner. Many individual disease conditions as well as surveys of groups of diseases (Hartley and Kater, 1962 Hartley, W. J. and Kater, J. C. 1962. Observations on diseases of the central nervous system of sheep in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 10: 128–142. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]; O'Hara and Shortridge, 1966 O'Hara, P. J. and Shortridge, E. H. 1966. Some diseases of the porcine central nervous system in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 14: 1–12. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]; Shortridge and Cordes, 1971 Shortridge, E. H. and Cordes, D. O. 1971. Neoplasms in cattle: A survey of 372 neoplasms examined at the Ruakura Veterinary Diagnostic Station. N.Z. vet. J., 19: 5–11. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) have been reported from material submitted to New Zealand laboratories and mortality studies on groups of animals have been undertaken elsewhere (Everitt and Evans, 1970 Everitt, G. C. and Evans, S. T. 1970. Beef production from a dairy herd: an analysis of mortalities. N.Z. vet. J., 18: 132–139. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]; Jackson et al., 1972 Jackson, C. A. W., Kingston, D. J. and Hemsley, L. A. 1972. A total mortality survey of nine batches of broiler chickens. Aust. vet. J., 48: 481–487.  [Google Scholar]).     

The incidence of gastro-intestinal nematodes in cattle in New Zealand

Abstract

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Despite the importance of the beef and dairy industries in this country, little attention has been given to parasitic gastroenteritis as an animal health problem in cattle, although McMeekan (1954 McMeekan, C. P. 1954. Proc. Ruakura Farmers Conference Week, : 186–186.  [Google Scholar]) has stated that helminths are most commonly associated with severe unthriftiness and losses in dairy calves after weaning. Apart from a recent report of a drenching trial in cattle (Cairns and Gallagher, 1964 Cairns, G. C. and Gallagher, R. M. 1964. N.Z. vet J., 12: 26–26. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]), there is a complete lack of published information on either the importance and prevalence of the disease in New Zealand, or on the host-parasite relationships concerned in the epidemiology of the disease. Similarly the literature is devoid of data relating to the incidence and distribution of the various parasite species.     

Chemotherapy of brucellosis in rams

Abstract

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Recognition that one infective agent could cause ram epididymitis and ewe abortion in New Zealand was due to McFarlane et al. (1952 McFarlane, D., Jebson, J. L., Hartley, W. J., Salisbury, R. M., McClure, T. J. and Osborne, H. G. 1952. Aust. vet. J., 28: 226–226. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]). The organism was not identified at that time, but Buddie and Boyes (1953 Buddle, M. B. and Boyes, B. W. 1953. Aust. vet. J., 29: 145–153. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) classified it in the genus Brucella—possibly a variant of Br. melitensis. This finding provided a basis for research on control and treatment of the disease. The present paper describes studies on one aspect of this problem, the chemotherapy of affected rams.     

Prolapsed uterus in the cow

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Sir,—In his clinical communication on reposition of the prolapsed uterus in the cow, Irvine (1964) Irvine, C. H. G. 1964. N.Z. vet. J., 12: 63–63. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar] stated that he “believes that the intestine is contained in all but the smallest prolapses“.     

Bovine mycotic abortion and pneumonia

Abstract

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Sir,—We should like to take this opportunity to congratulate Messrs Cordes, Dodd and O'Hara (1964 Cordes, D. O., Dodd, D. C. and O'Hara, P. J. 1964. N.Z. vet J., 12: 95–95. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) on their excellent article on bovine mycotic abortion and pneumonia in New Zealand, and at the same time mention certain complementary features of these conditions as noted in Tasmania.     

Response of cobalt deficient lambs to cobaltic oxide pellets

Abstract

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In New Zealand, cobalt-containing drenches are recommended for the field diagnosis of cobalt deficiency, but find little use as a routine method of controlling the disease. For the latter purpose, cobaltized licks have a place on extensively-grazed untopdressed hill country. Otherwise, topdressing pastures annually with cobalt sulphate, usually as cobaltized superphosphate, has proved the best method of prevention (N.Z. Dept. Agric, 1954 N.Z. Dept. Agric. 1954. N.Z. Dept. Agric. Bull.,  [Google Scholar]; Andrews, 1956 Andrews, E. D. 1956. N.Z. J. Agric., 92: 239–239.  [Google Scholar]). In Australia, however, greater reliance has been placed on drenches and licks, partly because cobalt topdressing is regarded as uneconomic on the extensive undeveloped holdings usually associated with cobalt deficiency in that country, and partly because the effects of cobalt applied to the land have often proved ephemeral, particularly on the acutely-deficient calcareous coastal sands (Lee, 1950 Lee, H. J. 1950. Aust. vet. J., 26: 152–152. [Crossref], [PubMed] , [Google Scholar]; Bennetts, 1955 Bennetts, H. W. 1955. J. Agric. West Ami., 4: 42–42.  [Google Scholar]). However, recent work in South Australia opens up an entirely new approach to the control of cobalt deficiency disease. Dewey et al. (1958 Dewey, D. W., Lee, H. J. and Marston, H. R. 1958. Nature (Lond), 181: 1367–1367.  [Google Scholar]) report that when semi-porous pellets containing cobaltic oxide are administered to sheep they are retained in the reticulum, or less commonly in the rumen, and release a continuous and adequate supply of cobalt to the animal. Phalaris staggers and cobalt deficiency disease can be prevented in this way.     

A serological survey for the presence of antibodies to ‘egg-drop-syndrome-1976’ adenovirus

Abstract

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Sir, — Avian adenoviruses are widely distributed in the world, and have been associated with a number of disease syndromes in poultry. including respiratory diseases, ⁽⁶⁾ McFerran, Gordon, W. A. M., Taylor, S. M. and McParland, P. J. 1971. Isolation of viruses from 94 flocks of fowls with respiratory disease. Res. vet. Sci., 12: 565–569.  [Google Scholar] egg production loss, ⁽⁹⁾ Van Eck, J. H. H., Davelaar, F. G., Van den Heuvel-Plessman, T. A. M., Van Kol, N., Kouwenhoven, G. and Guldie, F. H. M. 1976. Dropped egg production, soft shelled and shell-less eggs associated with appearance of precipitins to adenovirus in flocks of laying fowls. Avian Path., 5: 261–272. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar] and hepatitis. ⁽¹⁰⁾ Horner, G. W. and Hunter, R. 1977. Prevalence of precipitating antibodies to avian adenoviruses in diagnostic serums. N.Z. vet. J., 25: 236–236. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]     

A preliminary experiment on the effect of selenium on the growth rate of calves

Abstract

Extract

Drake et al. (1960 Drake, C, Grant, A. B. and Hartley, W. J. 1960. N.Z. vet. J., 8: 7–7. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) have shown that selenium will control outbreaks of lamb and hogget ill-thrift on the pumice soils of the Rotorua-Taupo area. As an ill-thrift problem also exists in calves on the newly-broken-in farms in the same area, it was decided to investigate the effect of oral selenium and other minerals in the control of this problem.     

The Complement Fixation Test For brucella Ovis

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Sir, — Correspondence in your journal has indicated that there is some divergence of opinion about the efficacy of the complement fixation (CF) test for the diagnosis of ovine brucellosis (Brucella ovis) ⁽¹⁾ Hicks, J. D., Burr, G. R., Marshall, D. R. and Vidier, B. M. 1978. CFT inaccurate for epididymitis. N.Z. vet. J., 24: 34–34.  [Google Scholar] ⁽²⁾ Bruére, A. N. and West, D. M. 1978. CFT inaccurate for epididymitis. N.Z. vet. J., 26: 115–115. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar] ⁽³⁾ O'Hara, P. J., Anderson, L. D. and Weddell, W. 1978. N.Z. vet. J. CFT inaccurate for epididymitis, 26: 115–116. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar] ⁽⁴⁾ Hicks, J. D., Burr, G. R. and Marshall, D. R. and. 1978. CFT inaccurate for epididymitis. N.Z. vet. J., 26: 135–135. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]. A number of letters which have recently been received at the Animal Health Reference Laboratory indicate that this issue is not yet fully resolved. We believe that part of the difficulty is due to misunderstanding about the use and interpretation of the test, and we would therefore like to comment.     

Titres After Leptospiral Vaccines

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Sir, — It appears that Drs Marshall et al.⁽¹⁾ Marshall, R.B., Manktelow, B.W. and Scholium, L.M. 1982. Standardisation of serology for leptospirosis. N.Z. vet. J., 30: 126–126. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] have missed the cardinal point of our paper on an unusual serological response in calves after use of a leptospiral vaccine. ⁽²⁾ Marshall, R.B., Manktelow, B.W. and Scholium, L.M. 1982. Standardisation of serology for leptospirosis. N.Z. vet. J., 30: 126–126. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] That point, of course, was that after use of one leptospiral vaccine, but not another, post-vaccination microscopic agglutination titres of calves were indistinguishable from post-infection titres, whatever the actual titres may have been.     

Elaphostrongylus cervi in Cervids in New Zealand

Abstract

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In January 1975, Elaphostrongylus cervi was identified in material derived from red deer in the Fiordland National Park (Mason et al., 1976 Mason, P. C., Kiddey, N. R., Sutherland, R. J., Rutherford, D. M. and Green, A. G. 1976. Elaphostrongylus cervi in red deer. N.Z. vet. J., 24: 22–23. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). This paper describes lesions associated with the presence of adult worms in the fascia and epimysium of skeletal muscles, lesions in lymph nodes, and lung lesions resulting from the presence of the first stage larvae of Elaphostrongylus cervi. This parasite is also known to cause meningo-encephalitis and spinal demyelination with consequent ataxia in red deer (Dykova, 1969 Dykova, I. 1969. Elaphostrongylus cervi (Cameron, 1931) in the central nervous system of red deer (Cervus elaphus). Folia parasit (Praha), 16: 74–74.  [Google Scholar]).     

Caprine arthritis encephalitis

Abstract

Extract

Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is a disease of goats of any breed, sex and age, caused by a retrovirus related to, but distinct from, the maedi-visna virus which affects sheep.(4) Gazit, A., Yaniv, A., Divr, M., Perk, K., Irving, S.G. and Dahlberg, J.E. 1983. The caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus is a distinct virus within the lentivirus group. Virology, 124: 192–195.  [Google Scholar] (10) Roberson, Susan M., McGuire, T.C., Klevjer-Anderson, Paula, Gorham, J.R. and Cheevers, W.P. 1982. Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus is distinct from visna and progressive pneumonia viruses as measured by genome sequency homology. J. Virol., 44: 755–758. [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] Both infections are included among the so-called slow virus diseases which are characterised by a long incubation period, protracted clinical course and persistent infection. Maedi-visna is not present in New Zealand but CAE has been detected in a number of goat flocks.     

Some investigations into the epidemiology of ovine toxoplasmosis

Abstract

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Infection by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is widespread in sheep in New Zealand and is recognized as the most common cause of intra-uterine infection leading to abortion and stillbirths (Hartley et al., 1954 Hartley, W. J., Jebson, J. L. and McFarlane, D. 1954. New Zealand Type II Abortion in ewes. Aust. vet. J., 30: 216–218.  [Google Scholar]; Hartley and Boyes, 1964 Hartley, W. J. and Boyes, B. W. 1964. Incidence of ovine perinatal mortality in New Zealand with particular reference to intra-uterine infections. N.Z. vet. J., 12: 33–36. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). In view of the prevalence of this infection in New Zealand, trials were set up to investigate some aspects of the epidemiology of this perplexing disease.     

Some observations on the differences in incidences between Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia hydatigena in the livers of sheep in New Zealand

Abstract

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The object of this report is to record observations on the differences in incidence between Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia hydatigena in the livers of sheep of different age groups in New Zealand. The method of collection of data, examination, and classification of animals in these surveys have previously been described (Gemmell, 1961a Gemmell, M. A. 1961a. N.Z. vet. J., 9: 29–29. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar], 1961b Gemmell, M. A. 1961b. N.Z. vet. J., 9: 37–37. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]).     

Vaginal prolapse in ewes

Abstract

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The economic importance of vaginal prolapse in ewes depends not only on the incidence, which has been shown to vary from farm to farm, district to district, year to year (Edgar, 1952 Edgar, D. G. 1952. Vet. Rec., 64: 852–852.  [Google Scholar]; McLean, 1957 McLean, J. W. 1957. N.Z. vet. J., 5: 93–93. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]), and according to topography (McLean, 1957 McLean, J. W. 1957. N.Z. vet. J., 5: 93–93. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]), but also upon the outcome of the disease in losses of ewes and Iambs. It must be appreciated that, although it is becoming more common than hitherto for veterinary assistance to besought, by custom and tradition the great majority of cases are still treated by the farmer himself or his shepherd. The kind of treatment that cases thus receive and the conditions under which treatment is given can perhaps best be described as “rough and ready”. The mortality rates in ewes and lambs to be described in this paper are those associated with this kind of treatment.