A search for infections of Trichinella spiralis in New Zealand pigs

Abstract

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Following the occurrence of one case of human trichinosis in New Zealand in 1931 (Lynch, 1932 Lynch, P. P. 1932. N.Z. med. J., 31: 216–216.  [Google Scholar]), a search was made for the larvae of Trichinella spiralis in the diaphragms of pigs. The examinations were made by pressing out pieces of muscle between two glass slides, and examining them under the microscope using a low-power objective. Samples from nearly 20,000 pigs were examined without any infections being found (N.Z. Dept. Agric, 1932 N.Z. Dept. Agric. 1932. Annual Report for 1931–32, : 57–57.  [Google Scholar]).     

The isolation of leptospira serotypes copenhageni and ballum from healthy calves

Abstract

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Bovine Leptospirosis was first recognized in New Zealand in 1950 (Anon., 1951 Anon. N.Z. Department of Agriculture Annual Report 1950–51 1951 28 28  [Google Scholar]). Since then the infection has become widespread, particularly during wet spring and summer months (Anon., 1973 Anon. N.Z. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries , Research Division Annual Report 1972–73 1973 (in press)  [Google Scholar]). In calves, infection with serotype pomona frequently gives rise to haemoglobinuria and general malaise, while symptoms such as loss of condition and pendulous abdomens which appear suddenly and are followed by sudden death have been associated with copenhageni infections (Dodd and Brackenridge, 1960 Dodd, D. C. and Brackenridge, D. T. 1960. Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae AB infection in calves. N.Z. vet. J., 8: 71–76. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]).     

A condition resembling Chastek paralysis in cats

Abstract

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The design of a national mastitis survey, the methods used and the results have been described in Parts 1 and 2 of this series (Elliott et al., 1976 Elliott, R. E. W., Tattersfield, Jean G. and Brookbanks, E. O. 1975. New Zealand National Mastitis Survey: 1965–6. 1. Preliminary Studies. N.Z. vet. J., 24: 18–20.  [Google Scholar]; Tattersfield et al., 1976 Tattersfield, Jean G., Elliott, R. E. W. and Brookbanks, E. O. 1976. New Zealand National Mastitis Survey: 1965–6. 2. Measures of Mastitis Prevalence. N.Z. vet. J., 24: 40–54. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]).     

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.     

Salmonellosis in sheep and zinc oxidedosing

Abstract

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Madam:– For several years we have been concerned with developing safe and effective methods of administering zinc to farm animals for the control of facial eczema. In none of our trial work involving repeated daily, weekly and fortnightly dosing of zinc oxide to sheep not vaccinated against salmonellosis has salmonellosis been encountered. Recently two reports(1 Allworth, M.B., West, D.M. and Bruere, A.N. 1985. Salmonellosis in ram hoggets following prophylactic zinc dosing. N.Z. vet. J., 33: 171–171. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]),(3 Neilsen, F.J.A., Jagusch, K.T., Gray, M.G. and Maclean, K.S. 1985. Acute enteritis and deaths in .sheep from Salmonella hindmarsh associated with oral dosing with zinc oxide. N.Z. vet. J., 33: 148–149.  [Google Scholar]) have suggested that high doses of zinc oxide have played a part in the aetiology of two outbreaks of salmonellosis in sheep and we thank the authors of both papers for pointing out their field observations. In the first outbreak(3 Neilsen, F.J.A., Jagusch, K.T., Gray, M.G. and Maclean, K.S. 1985. Acute enteritis and deaths in .sheep from Salmonella hindmarsh associated with oral dosing with zinc oxide. N.Z. vet. J., 33: 148–149.  [Google Scholar]) the sheep were subjected to exceptional stress (thrce days of mustering, yarding, drafting, tagging, weighing, bleeding, dosing and trucking). Even so it appeared that the "zinc dosed" and not the "nonzinc" group were affected by salmonellosis, but in exceptional circumstances.     

Tutu poisoning in dogs

Abstract

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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]).     

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.     

Prolapsed uterus in the cow

Abstract

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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“.     

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 study of the pattern of staphylococcal contamination of the udders of cows in a dairy herd

Abstract

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The results of the 1965–6 New Zealand national mastitis survey (Anon., 1967 Anon Ann. Rep. Res. Div. N.Z. Dept. Agric. 1966–67 1967 77 78  [Google Scholar]) indicated that β-haemolytic staphylococci were the most common bacteria isolated from the milk of dairy cows. Effective control of β-haemolytic stapyhlococci on a national scaledepends ultimately upon an understanding of population changes of this organism within the cow and within the herd.     

Dermatophilosis as a cause of pelt defects in lambs

Abstract

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Madam:— In a clinical communication to your journal in 1985, Allworth et al. ⁽¹⁾ Allworth, M.B., West, D.M. and Bruere, A.N. 1985. Ovine dermatophilosis in young sheep associated with the grazing of Brassica spp. crops. N.Z. vet. J., 33: 210–212. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] described four outbreaks of dermatophilosis in five-month-old lambs grazing Brassica crops in wet humid conditions. The lesions were thick crusty accumulations of inflammatory exudate at the base of the fleece closely attached to the epidermis. Histologically, there was invasion of hair follicles by Dermatophilus, extensive accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the dermis and lifting of the epidermis from the dermis in severely affected areas.     

A condition resembling ovine white liver disease in lambs on irrigated pasture in South Canterbury

Abstract

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Sir,— Ovine white liver disease (WLD) is a recognized entity in Northland and other parts of the North Island. In Northland, the disease occurs sporadically as a flock problem, mainly in lambs, during the warmer time of the year. Affected animals may show a failure to thrive, sometimes with anaemia, photosensitivity and a pale, swollen, fatty liver with characteristic h'stological changes. The disease is often associated with low liver vitamin B₁₂ levels and intestinal nematode parasitism. It has been suspected that a fungal toxin may be involved5 Martinovich, D. 1974. “Sheep diseases in Northland associated with suspect toxic forage”. In Proceedings N.Z. V.A. Sheep Society 4th Seminar 99–101.  [Google Scholar].     

The prevalence of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and Mycoplasma arginini in the respiratory tract of sheep

Abstract

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In an initial study of mycoplasmas of the respiratory tract of New Zealand sheep a number of strains of mycoplasma were recovered and identified as either M. ovipneumoniae or M. arginini (Clarke et al., 1974 Clarke, J. K., Brown, V. G. and Alley, M. R. 1974. Isolation and identification of mycoplasmas from the respiratory tract of sheep in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 22: 117–121. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). Investigations in Australia have produced evidence that M. ovipneumoniae is associated with a proliferative interstitial pneumonia in Queensland sheep (Sullivan et al., 1973 Sullivan, N. D., St. George, T. D. and Horsfall, N. 1973. A proliferative interstitial pneumonia of sheep associated with mycoplasma infection. I. Natural history of the disease in a flock. Aust. vet. J., 49: 57–62.  [Google Scholar]) and for this reason the present survey was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of mycoplasmas in the respiratory tract of sheepin New Zealand.     

Hypocuprosis: A clinical investigation of dairy herds in Northland

Abstract

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Northand has a wide variety of soil types, many of which are strongly leached wet clays with thin topsoils and low subsoil fertility. The copper status of many of these soils is low (Cunningham et at.,1956 Cunningham, I. J., Hogan, K. G. and Breen, J. N. 1956. The copper and molybdenum contents of pastures grown on the different soils of New Zealand. N.Z. Jl Sci. Tech., 38: 225–238.  [Google Scholar]; Taylor et al., 1956 Taylor, N. H., Cunningham, I. J. and Davies, E. B. 1956. Soil type in relation to mineral deficiencies. Paper, 9: 32–32. Int. Grassland Conf., N.Z., 1956. [Google Scholar]; Wells, 1957 Wells, N. 1957. Soil studies using sweet vernal to assess element availability. N.Z. Jl Sci. Tech., 38: 884–902.  [Google Scholar]). Copper deficiency (hypocuprosis), has been reported at various times in both cattle and sheep in this part of New Zealand, but the incidence was considered to be low and confined to a few localized areas.     

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.     

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]).     

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.     

Trichostronglye worm infection in cattle: Further studies on problems of diagnosis and on seasonal patterns of occurrence

Abstract

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The results of recent New Zealand studies (Brunsdon, 1968 Brunsdon, R. V. 1968. Trichostrongyle worm infection in cattle: ostertagiasis — effect of a field outbreak on production, with a review of the disease syndromes, problems of diagnosis and treatment. N.Z.vet.J., 16: 176–187. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar], 1969 Brunsdon, R. V. 1969. Trichostrongyle worm infection in cattle: ostertagiasis and concurrent infections in dairycalves: seasonal patterns of occurrence, pathology and diagnosis. N.Z. vet. J., 17: 161–172. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) have indicated the potential pathogenicity of trichostrongyle worm infection in calves reared on pasture underdairy-type management and have confirmed overseas findings regarding difficulties associated with- the- diagnosis of trichostrongyle disease in general and of the various syndromes of ostertagiasis in particular (Anderson et al., 1965 Anderson, N., Armour, J., Jarrett, W. F. H., Jennings, F. W., Ritchie, J. S. D. and Urquhart, G. M. 1965. A field study of parasitic gastritis in cattle. Vet. Rec., 77: 1,196–1,204.  [Google Scholar]; Michel, 1968 Michel, J. F. 1968. Faecal egg counts in infections of gastro-intestinal nematodes in cows. Vet. Rec, 82: 132–133. [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]).     

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.     

Ostertagiasis in adult cattle: A clinical report of an outbreak in the field

Abstract

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The pathogenic significance of Ostertagia ostertag to cattle has been well established by many workers overseas (see Brunsdon (1968 Brunsdon, R. V. 1968. Trichostrongyle worm infection in cattle: Ostertagiasis — effect of a field outbreak on production, with a review of the diseases syndromes, problems of diagnosis and treatment. N.Z. vet. J., 16: 176–187. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) for review) and in New Zealand (Brunsdon, 1968 Brunsdon, R. V. 1968. Trichostrongyle worm infection in cattle: Ostertagiasis — effect of a field outbreak on production, with a review of the diseases syndromes, problems of diagnosis and treatment. N.Z. vet. J., 16: 176–187. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar], 1969 Brunsdon, R. V. 1969. Trichostrongyle worm infection in cattle: Ostertagiasis and concurrent infections in dairycalves: Seasonal patterns of occurrence, pathology and diagnosis. N.Z. vet. J., 17: 161–171. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]).