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.     

Rumen Candida species and bovine mastitis

Abstract

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Both Candida albicans and C. tropicalis have been implicated in cases of bovine mastitis following udder infusion with antibiotics (Loken et al., 1959 Loken, K. I., Thompson, E. S., Hoyt, H. H. and Ball, R. A. 1959. J. Amer. vet. med. Ass., 134: 401–401.  [Google Scholar]). In some cases (Tucker, 1954 Tucker, E. W. 1954. Cornell Vet., 44: 79–79.  [Google Scholar]), contamination of the diluting fluid and teats with yeasts from the operator has been given as the cause, while in other cases (Stuart, 1951 Stuart, P. 1951. Vet. Rec., 63: 314–314.  [Google Scholar]; Hulse, 1952 Hulse, E. C. 1952. Vet. Rec., 64: 210–210.  [Google Scholar]), yeasts from brewer's grains on which the cows were feeding have been blamed.     

An occurrence of Balantidium coli in calves

Abstract

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The ciliate protozoan parasite Balantidium coli is considered by Hagan (1947 Hagan, W. A. 1947. The Infections Diseases of Domestic Animals, Ithaca, N.Y.: Comstock Publishing Co. Inc..  [Google Scholar]) commonly to infest swine, in which it occasionally produces, ulcerative colitis and diarrhoea. Humans are subject to infestation only rarely, and those most commonly affected associate with swine. A preliminary report by Norgarin (1957 Hayes, F. A. and Jordan, H. E. 1956. J. Amer. vet. med. Ass., 126: 161–161.  [Google Scholar]) records the occurrence of B. coli in cattle, and Hayesand Jordan (1956 Norgarin, S. 1957. Veterinaria Milano, 6: 201–201.  [Google Scholar]) record its presence in worm infested dogs.     

Colitis X in the horse

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Colitis X is a peracute, sporadic noncontagious disease affecting horses of all ages, characterized by sudden onset of shock, dehydration and foetid diarrhoea (Rooney et al., 1963 Rooney, J. R., Bryan's, J. T. and Doll, E. R. 1963. Colitis “X” of horses. J. Am. vet. Med. Ass., 142: 510–511.  [Google Scholar]; Pickrell, 1968 Pickrell, J. W. 1968. Equine killer: Colitis X. Med. vet. Pract., 49: 63–66.  [Google Scholar]). Rooney et al. (1966 Rooney, J. R., Bryans, J. T., Prickett, M. E. and Zent, W. W. 1966. Exhaustion shock in the horse. Cornell Vet., 56: 220–235. [PubMed] , [Google Scholar]) have described a form of colitis X without diarrhoea. Otubreaks of the disease which affected numerous horses under the same conditions of management have been described (Rooney et al., 1963 Rooney, J. R., Bryan's, J. T. and Doll, E. R. 1963. Colitis “X” of horses. J. Am. vet. Med. Ass., 142: 510–511.  [Google Scholar]; W. P. C. Richards, pers. comm.).     

Brucella ovis vaccination of rams

Abstract

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An infectious epididymitis of rams caused by Brucella ovis (Buddie, 1956 Buddle, M. B. 1956. J. Hygiene, 54: 351–351.  [Google Scholar]) infection, first described in Australia (Simmons and Boyes, 1953 Simmons, C. G. and Hall, W. J. K. 1953. Aust.vet.J., 29: 33–33. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) and New Zealand (Buddie and Boyes, 1953 Buddle, M. B. and Boyes, B. W. 1953. Aust.vet. J., 29: 145–145. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) was recognized subsequently in Czechoslovakia (Gdovin et al, 1955 Gdovin, T., Hrudka, F., Chladecky, E. and Koppel, Z. 1955. Shorn, ces. Akad. zemedelsk Ved., 28: 617–617.  [Google Scholar]), the United States (McGowan and Shultz, 1956 McGowan, B. and Shultz, G. 1956. Cornel Vet., 46: 277–277.  [Google Scholar]), South Africa (Van Rensburg et al, 1958 Van Rensburg, S. W. J., Van Heerden, K. M., Le Roux, D. J. and Snyders, A. J. 1958. J.S.Afr. vet. med. Ass., 29: 223–223.  [Google Scholar]), Rumania (Tudoriu, et al, 1958 Tudoriu, C. D., Andrei, M., Draghici, D. and Moldoveanu, P. 1958. Anu. Inst. Pat.Igien. anim. Bucaresti, 8: 5–5.  [Google Scholar]), and South America (Dr Justo Zomara B, 1961, pers. comm.). As the infection can affect ram fertility and, further, can be responsible for abortion in ewes and perinatal mortality in lambs, attention has been directed to the development, evaluation, and application of control measures in a number of important sheep-raising countries.     

Within-flock variations in strongyle worm infections in sheep: The need for adequate diagnostic samples

Abstract

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Canine hip dysplasia was first recognized 40 years ago (Schnelle, 1935 Schnelle, G. B. 1935. Some new diseases in dogs. Am. Kennel Gaz., 52: 25–25. Cited by Schnelle, G. B. (1954): Proc. Am. vet. med. Ass., 91st annual meeting, p. 235. [Google Scholar]) and since then it has been accepted as a common pathological condition of the coxofemoral joint. It is a disease that is characterized by an abnormal laxity of the joint which may or may not cause clinical signs of hind-limb lameness. Although it appears to be most prevalent in the larger breeds of dogs (Schnelle, 1954 Schnelle, G. B. 1954. “Congential dysplasia of the hip and its sequelae”. In Proc. Am. vet. med. Ass., 91st annual meeting 253–253.  [Google Scholar]; Riser 1963 Riser, W. H. 1963. A new look at developmental subluxation in hip dysplasia. J. small anim. Pract., 4: 421–434. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]; Larsen and Corley, 1970 Larsen, J. S. and Corley, E. A. 1970. Radiographic evaluations in canine hip dysplasia control programs. J. Am. vet. med. Ass., 159: 989–992.  [Google Scholar]), it does occur in smaller breeds and in crossbred animals (Gustaffson et al., 1972 Gustafsson, P. O., Kasstrom, H., Olsson, S. E. and Wenman, B. 1972. Skeletal development and sexual maturity in German Shepherds, Greyhounds and their crossbred offspring. Acta radiol. Suppl., 319: 187–190.  [Google Scholar]; Lust et al., 1973 Lust, G., Geary, J. C. and Sheffy, B. 1973. Development of canine hip dysplasia in dogs. Am. J. vet. Res., 34: 87–89.  [Google Scholar]). In recent years many of the large breeds of dogs have become more popular in New Zealand and this popularity has seemingly led to an increase, in the incidence of hip dysplasia. Because the condition is thought to be due to a heritable defect, attempts to eradicate it by selection and mating of “phenotypically normal” animals have been commonplace throughout the world. In addition, many methods of treatment or prevention of the disease in the individual animal have been recommended by veterinarians.     

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.     

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

Abstract

Extract

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.     

An indirect haemagglutination test for the detection of Brucella ovis antibodies

Abstract

Extract

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.     

Escherichia coli infection in lambs

Abstract

Extract

Published records of Escherichia coli infection in lambs have appeared with increasing frequency in recent years. Reports have come from Australia (Roberts, 1957 Roberts, D. S. 1957. Anst. vet. J., 33: 43–43.  [Google Scholar], 1958 Roberts, D. S. 1958. Anst. vet. J., 34: 152–152.  [Google Scholar]; Charles, 1957 Charles, G. 1957. Anst. vet. J., 33: 329–329.  [Google Scholar]) and from Britain (Terlecki and Shaw, 1959 Terlecki, S. and Shaw, W. G. 1959. Vet. Rec., 71: 181–181.  [Google Scholar]; Rees, 1958 Rees, T. A. 1958. J. comp. Path., 68: 399–399.  [Google Scholar]; Hughes, 1962 Hughes, L. E. 1962. Vet. Rec., 74: 350–350.  [Google Scholar]). In the Australian outbreaks, the age of affected lambs ranged from three to eight weeks, while in the British outbreaks lambs became affected within one day of birth. In both countries the illness lasted from one to three days. Characteristically, the infection localized in the central nervous system leading to purulent meningo-encephahtis, and in the joints causing fibrino-purulent arthritis.     

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.     

Acute lameness in sheep caused Corynebacterium pyogenes

Abstract

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Feild outbreaks of acute lameness in sheep in New Zealand are usually attributed to contagious footrot (Fusiformis nodosus) (Beveridge, 1941 Beveridge, W. I. B. 1941. Bull. Counc. Sci. indusir. Res. Aust., 140 [Google Scholar]), foot abscess (Sphaerophorus necrophorus) (Gregory, 1939 Gregory, T. S. 1939. Aust. vet. J., 15: 160–160.  [Google Scholar]), or so-called “nutritional scald” Occasionally Erysipelothrix rhusio pathiae is also responsible (Whitten, 1951 Whitten, L. K. 1951. Aust. vet. J., 28: 6–6.  [Google Scholar]).     

Genital infection of ram hoggets associated with a gram-negative pleomorphic organism

Abstract

Extract

An acute epididymitis affecting mainly young rams and associated with a gram-negative pleomorphic organism was first reported in New Zealand in 1955 (1) Dodd, D. C. and Hartley, W. J. 1955. A specific suppurative epididymitis of rams. N.Z. vet. J., 3: 105–110. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]. Subsequently a similar syndrome attributed to Actinobacillus seminis has been reported in Border Leicester and other rams in Australia (2) Baynes, I. D. and Simmons, G. C. 1960. Ovine epididymitis caused by Actinobacillus seminis. N.Sp. Aust. vet. J., 36: 454–459.  [Google Scholar] (3) Simmons, G. C., Baynes, I. D. and Ludford, C. G. 1966. Epidemiology of Actinobacillus seminis in a flock of Border Leicester sheep. Aust. vet. J., 42: 183–187.  [Google Scholar] (4) Baynes, I. D. and Simmons, G. C. 1968. Clinical and pathological studies of Border Leicester rams naturally infected with Actinobacillus seminis. Aust. vet. J., 44: 339–343.  [Google Scholar]. A like condition also described in Australia in a single crossbred ram was causally attributed to Histophilus ovis (5) Claxton, P. D. and Everett, R. E. 1966. Recovery of an organism resembling Histophilus ovis from a ram. Aust. vet. J., 42: 457–458.  [Google Scholar]. Actinobacillus seminis was isolated from an epididymal infection in a Rambouillet ram in America (6) Livingston, C. W. and Hardy, W. T. 1964. Isolation of Actinobacillus seminis from ovine epididymitis. Am. J. vet. Res., 25: 660–663.  [Google Scholar] and from a Dorper ram in South Africa(7) Worthingron, R. W. and Bosman, P. P. 1968. Isolation of Actinobacillus seminis in South Africa. J I. S. Aft. vet. med. Ass., 39: 81–85.  [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.     

Acorn poisoning in sheep

Abstract

Extract

Robins and Shapcott (1954 Robins, J. H. and Shapcott, R. 1954. N.Z. vet. J., 2: 55–55. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) recorded cases of presumed acorn poisoning in sheep.     

Congestive heart failure in broilers,resembling toxic heart degeneration and chick oedema disease

Abstract

Extract

Between November 1972 and February 1973, severe outbreaks of a disease in broilers, characterized by congestive heart failure,, hydropericardium, liver shrinkage, ascites, and sometimes subcutaneous oedema were observed in the North Island. The disease resembled enzootic fatal syncope (toxic heart degeneration) described earlier in laying hens in New Zealand (Fischel, 1946 Fischel, W. E. 1946. Enzootic Fatal Syncope (Toxic Heart Degeneration) in fowls. Aust. vet. J., 22: 144–149.  [Google Scholar]), chick edema disease seen in the U.S.A. (Schmittle et al., 1958 Schmittle, S. C., Edwards, H.M. and Morris, D. 1958. A disorder of chickens probably due to toxic feed — preliminary report. J. Am. vet. med. Ass., 152: 216–219.  [Google Scholar]; Sanger et al., 1958 Sanger, V. L., Scott, L., Hamdy, A., Gale, C. and Pounden, W. D. 1958. Alimentary toxemia in chickens. J. Am. vat. med. Ass., 33: 172–176.  [Google Scholar]), possible fat intoxication in chickens reported from Britain (Wannop and Chubb, 1961 Wannop, C. C. and Chubb, L. G. 1961. Possible fat intoxication in chickens. Vet. Rec., 75: 586–586.  [Google Scholar]), and alimentary toxaemia or water belly ascites experienced in Australia (Sinkovic, 1961 Sinkovic, B. 1961. Cited by Hungerford (1969) [Google Scholar]).     

Dexamethasone and mastitis in cows

Abstract

Extract

Sir, — The use of corticosteroids to induce early parturition to obtain a concentrated calving period has been widely accepted in New Zealand. Retention of the placenta following treatment with corticosteroids has been described by Adams (1969 Adams, W. M. 1969. The elective induction of laborand parturition in cattle. J. Am. vet. Med. Ass., 154: 261–265.  [Google Scholar]), Lauderdale (1972 Lauderdale, J. W. 1972. Effects of corticoid administration on bovine pregnancy. J. Am. vet. med. Ass., 160: 867–871.  [Google Scholar]) and Jochle et al. (1972 Tochle, W., Esparza, H., Gimenez, T. and Hidalgo, M. A. 1972. Inhibition or corticoid-induced parturition by progesterone in cattle: Effect on delivery and calf viability. J. Reprod. Fert., 28: 407–412.  [Google Scholar]). Welch et al. (1973 Welch, R. A. S., Newling, P. and Anderson, D. 1973. Induction of parturition in cattle with corticosteroids: An analysis of field trials. N.Z. vet J., 21: 103–108. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]), using dexamethasone trimethylacetate* *Opticortenol: Ciba-Geigy. in the Huntly and Bay of Plenty areas, reported that calf mortality was disturbingly high — 31.3% and 17.1% for the respective areas. Despite having no apparent effect on milk production or subsequent fertility it is possible pre-existing infections may be exacerbated by the use of corticosteroids.     

Mannosidosis — A cause of neonatal mortality in angus calves

Abstract

Extract

Mannosidosis, a lethal inherited neurological disease associated with a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme α-mannosidase (Hocking et al., 1972 Greene, H. J., Leipold, H. W., Hibbs, C. M. and Kirkbridge, C. A. 1974. Congenital osteopetrosis in Angus calves. J. Am. vet. med. Ass., 164: 389–395.  [Google Scholar]) has been described clinically as affecting Angus calves usually in their firstyear of life (Whittem and Walker, 1957 Hocking, J. D., Jolly, R. D. and Batt, R. D. 1972. Deficiency of α-mannosidase in Angus cattle. Biochem. J., 128: 69–78.  [Google Scholar]; Jolly, 1970 Jolly, R. D. 1970. Diagnosis and control of pseudolipidosis of Angus calves. N.Z. vet. J., 13: 228–229.  [Google Scholar], 1975 Jolly, R. D. 1975. “Mannosidosis of Angus cattle: A prototype control program for some genetic diseases”. In Advances in Veterinary Science and Comparative Medicine, Edited by: Brandly, C. A. and Cornelius, C. E. Vol. 19, London and New York: Academic Press. In [Google Scholar]). Although it has been suspected as a significant cause of neonatal mortality in herds at risk, figures and diagnosis supporting such an hypothesis have not been available.     

The Complement Fixation Test For brucella Ovis

Abstract

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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.     

Bovine abortion caused by infection with Leptospira pomona

Abstract

Extract

A gram-negative pleomorphic facultative aerobic organism, indistinguishable morphologically and culturally from that isolated from suppurative epididymitis in rams and described by Dodd &; Hartley (1955) Dodd, D. C. and Hartley, W. J. 1955. N.Z. vet. J., 3: 105–105. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar], has, over the last five years, been isolated at this laboratory on more than ten occasions from polytenosynovitis and pyaemia in lambs, and on one occasion from mastitis in a ewe. It still remains to characterize and classify this organism, but Roberts has made a detailed comparison of it with his Histophilus ovis (Roberts, 1956 Roberts, D. S. 1956. Aust. vet. J., 32: 330–330.  [Google Scholar]) and considers that the two are indistinguishable (Roberts, 1958, pers. comm.).