Further investigation of equine fescue oedema induced by Mediterranean tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) infected with selected fungal endophytes (Epichloë coenophiala)

Abstract

AIMS

To determine if equine fescue oedema (EFO) induced by grazing Mediterranean-type tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) infected with selected endophytes (Epichloë coenophiala) could be prevented by treatment with the corticosteroid, methylprednisolone, and anti-histamine, cetirizine, and to determine concentrations of lolines, specifically N-acetyl norloline (NANL), in grasses grazed by horses that did and did not develop EFO.     

A haemolytic variant of Actinobacillus equuli causing an acute septicaemia in a foal

Abstract

Extract

This paper describes the isolation of a haemolytic variant of Actinobacillus equuli from a foal which died from acute septicaemia. Foal deaths due to non-haemolytic A. Equuli (also known as Shigella equirulus) in New Zealand have been described previously by Hutchinson (1956 Hutchinson, Sally C. 1956. Shigella equirulus infection in a foal. N.Z. vet. J., 4: 119–120. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) and Bloomberg (1963 Bloomberg, J. H. 1963. Atypical symptoms in a case of sleepy foal disease (Actinobacillus equuli infection). N.Z. vet. J., 11: 125–126. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]).     

Superinfection occurs in Anaplasma phagocytophilum infected sheep irrespective of infection phase and protection status

Background

Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in domestic ruminants is widespread in the coastal areas of southern Norway. The bacteria may persist in mammalian hosts. Several genetic variants of A. phagocytophilum exist. In the present study, we investigate whether superinfection occurs in the acute and persistent phase of the infection.

Methods

Five-month-old lambs of the Norwegian Dala breed were experimentally infected with two 16S rRNA gene variants of A. phagocytophilum, i.e. A. phagocytophilum variant 1 (GenBank accession number {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"M73220","term_id":"148293","term_text":"M73220"}}M73220) and variant 2 (GenBank acc. no. {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AF336220","term_id":"13325085","term_text":"AF336220"}}AF336220). Eighteen lambs were used, two lambs in each group. Eight groups were experimentally inoculated with either variant 1 or 2 on day 0. Six of these groups were then challenged with the other variant on either days 7, 42 or 84, respectively. One group was left uninfected. The occurrence of A. phagocytophilum in blood samples was determined using semi-nested PCR analysis and gene sequencing. Specific antibodies were measured by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA).

Results

A. phagocytophilum variant 1 and 2 differed significantly with regards to clinical reaction and cross-immunity in infected lambs. Both variants were found in the blood after challenge. However, variant 1 was detected most frequently.

Conclusion

The present experiment indicates that superinfection of different genotypes occurs during the acute as well as the persistent phase of an A. phagocytophilum infection, even in lambs protected against the challenged infection.     

Chemotherapy of brucellosis in rams

Abstract

Extract

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.     

Comparative evaluation of metallic skin staples or polypropylene sutures for primary closure of teat wounds in sheep

ABSTRACT

Aims

To compare stainless steel staples and polypropylene suture material for primary closure of wounds after teat amputation in ewes and to assess progress of healing in the presence or absence of intramammary infection (IMI).     

Tutu poisoning in dogs

Abstract

Extract

Tutu (Coriaria arborea Lindsay) is a small tree or shrub, variable in height, with leaves lin. to 3in. long, oblong and sessile, which has many flowers in long, drooping racemes. The fruit is purplish-black and is enveloped by juicy, persistent, and enlarged petals. It is a shrub that is found abundantly on certain river banks, bush, scrub, and tussock grassland throughout New Zealand (Connor, 1951 Aston, B. C. 1934. N.Z.J. Agric, 49: 150–150.  [Google Scholar]). The green fruit and associated racemes, and also the flowering racemes, are highly toxic. The ripe fruit is relatively not as toxic (Easterfield, 1901 Christie, L. 1890. N.Z. med. J., 4: 1–1.  [Google Scholar]).     

Relationship between the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) variant R306ter and physiological responses to mechanical or thermal stimuli in Labrador Retriever dogs

Objective

Variants in the MC1R gene have been associated with red hair color and sensitivity to pain in humans. The study objective was to determine if a relationship exists between MC1R genotype and physiological thermal or mechanical nociceptive thresholds in Labrador Retriever dogs.

Prevalence and risk factors for cats testing positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus infection in cats entering an animal shelter in New Zealand

Abstract

AIMS

To estimate the prevalence of cats testing positive for antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) antigens in domestic cats entering a New Zealand animal shelter, based on a commercial point-of-care ELISA, to identify risk factors associated with cats testing positive, and to compare the results obtained from the ELISA with those obtained using PCR-based testing.     

The occurrence of dictyocaulus arnfieldi in the lungs of horses

Abstract

Extract

The equine lungworm was first reorded in a donkey (Equus asinus) and named Strongylus arnfieldi by Cobbold (1884) Cobbold, T. S. 1884. Veterinarian, 57(349): 4–7. [Cited by Soliman, 1960.] [Google Scholar]. Later it was recognized in the horse by Railliet and placed in the genus Dictyocaulus by Railliet and Henry in 1907. Numerous reports describe its cosmapolitan distribution although the cases de- scribed below appear to be the first published records of it from New Zealand, apart from a Department of Agriculture Report (Anon., 1966 Anon. Animal Research in the New Zealand Department of Agriculture 1964–5 1966 65 65  [Google Scholar]).     

Elaphostrongylus cervi in Cervids in New Zealand

Abstract

Extract

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]).     

Local reactions in sheep to clostridial vaccines

Abstract

Extract

Each year, several million sheep are injected with clostridial vaccines in New Zealand; though this must safeguard the animals, it is of overriding importance that the vaccine should be “safe”. The British Veterinary Codex (1965 1965. British Veterinary Codex, 435–438. London: Pharmaceutical Press. and p. 462 [Google Scholar]) recommends to manufacturers that a sample of each batch of vaccine should be injected into the intended animal species as a safety test. For pulpy kidney vaccine, twice the maximum dose recommended on the label injected subcutaneously should produce no significant local or systemic reaction in sheep during an observation period of seven days.     

Acorn poisoning in sheep

Abstract

Extract

No record appears to have been made of oak poisoning in New Zealand, Connor (1951 Connor, H. E. 1951. “N.Z. Dept. of Scientific and Industrial Research”. In Bulletin No. 99  [Google Scholar]) considering that only extremely isolated cases are likely to occur.     

Toxoplasmosis in ferrets

Abstract

Extract

In 1986 I described an epidemic of congenital Toxoplasma-like disease in ferrets ⁽¹⁾ Thornton, RN and Cook, TG. 1986. A congenital Toxoplasma-like disease in ferrets (Musrela putorius furo). New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 34: 31–33. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]. The protozoan was subsequently confirmed immunohistochemically as Toxoplasma (Dubey, personal communication) but this was not reported. I wish to report this fact now in light of the recent discovery of the protozoan Neospora caninum, which is morphologically similar to Toxoplasma gonii, but which can be distinguished immunohistochemically ⁽²⁾ Dubey, JP. 1990. Neospora caninum: A look at a new Toxoplasma-like parasite of dogs and other animals. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian, 12: 653–663.  [Google Scholar]. The life cycle of Neospora caninum is not yet known so it is of interest to establish the fact that the ferrets in our report were confirmed as having toxoplasmosis.     

Failure to Induce Contact Hypersensitivity in the Opossum,Ittrichosurus Vulpecula

Abstract

Sir:- Contact hyypersensitivity (CHS; syn: contact allergy, contact dermatitis, contact eczema) is induced when chemicals (haptens) capable of binding covalently to autologous proteins are applied to the skin.(1) Claman,, H. N.,, Miller,, S. D.,, Conlon,, P. J. and Moorehead,, J. W. 1980. Advances in Immunology, Edited by: Dixon and, F. J. and Kunkel, H. G. 121–157. New York: Academic Press.  [Google Scholar]The hapten-protein complexes formed in this way are immunogenic and elicit the immune response underlying CHS. CHS is a form of delayed hypersensitivity. Exposure of a primed animal to the sensitising hapten results in erythema and induration at the site of skin contact, the response being maxima1 after 24 hours.     

Knemidokoptic mange of the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) in New Zealand

Abstract

Extract

A budgerigar brought to the Wallaceville Animal Research Station for examination showed a severe chronic lesion of the beak and ceres. The lesion was heavily encrusted and showed honey-comb-like pitting (Fig. 1). Four birds of a flock of fifty were similarly affected. Mites were found in scrapings taken from the base of the beak and were identified as Knemidokoptes pilae, Lavoipierre and Griffiths, 1951 Evans, G.O. and Browning, E. 1955. Econ. Ser. Brit. Mus., 17 [Google Scholar].     

Toxoplasmosis in sheep 2. Serological response in the early stages of infection

Abstract

Extract

Dye-test reactivity in sheep serum can result from either of two different types of anti-body, distinguishable by their stability to heat (Te Punga and Penrose, 1964 Te Punga, W. A. and Penrose, Mary E. 1964. N.Z. vet. J., 12: 150–150. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). Heat-labile antibody was found in sheep that showed low (less than 1: 16) non-fluctuating titres in their sera from several successive bleedings, and heat-stable antibody in sheep with high (more than 1: 256) titres in their sera. It was suggested that high titres were probably induced by infection with Toxoplasma gondii but no explanation of the heat-labile antibodies was attempted. It was therefore of interest to determine whether inoculation of sheep with Toxoplasma gondii resulted in the formation of two different populations of antibody molecules distinguishable on the basis of their stability to heat.     

Salmonella cholerae-suis from cattle in New Zealand

Abstract

Extract

Salmonella cholerae-suis is considered to be the most common salmonella found in pigs. Following its first isolation by Salmon and Smith (1885 Salmon, E. and Smith, T. 1885. Report on Swine Plague. Rep. U.S. Bur. anim. Ind., : 184–184.  [Google Scholar]), S. cholerae-suis was thought to be the cause of hog cholera. However, hog cholera is now known to be due to a virus, while S. cholerae-suis is a common secondary invader in this disease.