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.     

leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo vaccination against leptospira interrogans serovar balcanica infection

Abstract

Extract

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.     

The Complement Fixation Test For brucella Ovis

Abstract

Extract

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.     

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

Abstract

Extract

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

Abstract

Extract

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]).     

Titres After Leptospiral Vaccines

Abstract

Extract

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.     

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.     

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.     

A mass screening programme of angus cattle for the mannosidosis genotype — A prototype programme for control of inherited diseases in animals

Abstract

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Recent research has shown that the gene frequency for mannosidosis (pseudolipidosis) may approximate 0.05 in pedigree Angus herds (Jolly, unpublished data). As epidemiological studies suggest an equal frequency in commercial non-pedigree herds, the disease is elf economic importance to the national beef industry. Mannosidosis is an inherited lysosomal storage disease associated with a defect in catabolism, of the heterosaccharide fractioln of glycoproteins (Whittem and Walker, 1957 Donnelly, W. J. C., Sheahan, B. J. and Rogers, T. A. 1973a. GM₁ gangliosidosis in Friesian calves. J. Path., 111: 173–179.  [Google Scholar]; Jolly 1971 Donnelly, W. J. C., Sheahan, B. J. and Kelly, M. 1973b. Bet α-galactosidase deficiency in GM₁ gangliosidosis of Friesian calves. Res. vet. Sci., 15: 139–141.  [Google Scholar]; Hocking et al., 1972 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]; Phillips et al., 1974 Jolly, R. D. 1971. The pathology of the central nervous system in pseudolipidosis of Argus cattle. J. Path., 103: 113–121.  [Google Scholar]). Whereas animals with mannosidosis have negligible tissue sand plasma levels of α-mannosidase, heterozygotes having one normal gene and one defective gene have approximately half the normal level of enzyme in their tissues and plasma. This observation forms the basis for a control programme in which heterozygotes are identified by their plasma α-mannosidase 1evels (Jolly et al., 1973 Jolly, R. D., Tse, C. A. and Greenway, R. M. 1973. Plasma α-mannosidase activity as a means of detecting mannosidosis heterozygotes. N.Z. vet. J., 21: 64–69. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar], 1974a Jolly, R. D., Thompson, K. G., Tse, C. A., Munford, R. E. and Merrall, M. 1974a. Identification of mannosidosis heterozygotes — factors affecting normal plasma α-mannosidase levels. N.Z. vet. J., 22: 155–162. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar], b Jolly, R. D., Thompson, K. G. and Tse, C. A. 1974b. Evaluation of a mass screening programme for identification of mannosidosis heterozygotes in Angus cattle. N.Z. vet. J., 22: 185–190. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]).     

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

Abstract

Extract

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]).     

Parainfluenza type 3 virus in cattle with upper respiratory disease

Abstract

Extract

Parainfluenza type 3(Pl₃) virus has been associated with upper respiratory disease of cattle in many countries (Hoerlein et al., 1959 Bögel, K. 1961. Virologische Undersuchungsbefunde bei Kalbern mit respiratoris-chem Syndrom unter besonderer Berucksichtigung der Parainfluenza 3 Myxovirus. Mh. Tierheilk, 13: 129–129. 162. [Cited by Jolly, R. D., (1967), N.Z. vet. J., 15: 43–4.] [Google Scholar]; Bögel, 1961 Campbell, R. S. F. 1972. “Virus diseases of cattle. Virology and Virus Disease”. In Proc. No. 16 of Course for Veterinarians, 132–132. University of Sydney.  [Google Scholar]; Reisinger, 1962 Carter, Margery E. and Hunter, R. 1970. Isolation of parainfluenza type 3 virus from sheep in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 18: 226–227. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]; Jolly and Ditchfield, 1965 Curtis, R. A. and Sutton, R. H. 1972. Chronic granular rhinitis (nasal catarrh) of cattle. N.Z. vet. J., 20: 125–125. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). However, PI₃ virus has not been isolated from cattle with respiratory disease in New Zealand although a serological study found that 89.3% of cows had significant levels of antibody against PI₃ virus (Pastier and Hansen, 1966). In most cases infections are subclinical, and there is little evidence to suggest that PI₃ virus is an important cause of disease in New Zealand cattle (Jolly, 1967 Fastier, L. B. and Hansen, N. F. 1966. The occurrence of antibodies to bovine virus diarrhoea, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and parainfluenza 3 viruses in sera from New Zealand cattle. N.Z. vet J., 14: 27–32. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). This communication records an outbreak of upper respiratory disease in cattle from which PI₃ virus was isolated.     

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.     

A condition resembling Chastek paralysis in cats

Abstract

Extract

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]).     

Diseases of the domestic fowl in Northern New Zealand

Abstract

Extract

Information about diseases in domestic fowls in New Zealand is contained in two books (Anon., 1965 Anon. Specimens for Laboratory Examination N.Z. Department of Agriculture 1965  [Google Scholar]; Anon., 1971 Anon. Diseases of Domestic Animals in New Zealand , 3rd ed. Editorial Services Wellington 1971  [Google Scholar]). The following diseases have been the subject of separate reports: Salmonella newington infection (Flannery, 1954 Bridges, C. H. and Flowers, A. I. 1958. “Iridocyclitis and cataracts associated with an encephalomyelitis in chickens”. In Diseases of Poultry, 4th ed, Edited by: Biester, H. E. and Schwarte, L. H. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State Univ. Press. In [Google Scholar]); lead poisoning (Salisbury et al, 1958 Salisbury, R. M., Staples, E. L. J. and Sutton, M. 1958. Lead poisoning in chickens. N.Z. vet. J., 6: 2–7. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]); Ornithonyssus sylviarum infestation (Thomas and Watson, 1958 Thomas, P. L. and Watson, H. H. 1958. The occurrence in New Zealand of the northern poultry mite, Ornithonyssus sylvarium (Canestrini and Fanzago, 1877). N.Z. vet. J., 6: 47–50. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]); infectious laryngotracheitis (Webster, 1959 Webster, R. G. 1959. Studies on infectious larvnsntracheitis in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 7: 67–71. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]); mycoplasmosis (Pohl, 1966 Pohl, R. M. 1966. Mycoplasmosis in poultry. N.Z. vet. J., 14: 151–151. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]); infectious bronchitis (Pohl, 1967 Pohl, R. M. 1967. Infectious bronchitis in chickens. N.Z. vet. J., 75: 151–151.  [Google Scholar]); uraemia (Pohl, 1968 Pohl, R. M. 1968. Uraemia (infectious nephritis) in chickens in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 16: 188–188. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]); coccidiosis (Pohl, 1969 Pohl, R. M. 1969. Coccidiosis of the fowl in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 17: 249–250. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]); vibriosis (Pohl, et al, 1969 Pohl, R. M., Marshall, R. M. and Pearson, R. 1969. Vibriosis in chickens in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 17: 51–52. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) and capillariasis (Rickard and Pohl, 1969 Rickard, M. D. and Pohl, R. 1969. Capillariasis of the domestic fowl in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 17: 130–136. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]).     

Toxoplasmosis in piglets

Abstract

Extract

Ovine toxoplasmosis is of importance in New Zealand where it is recognized as the most common cause of intrauterine infection leading to abortion and stillbirths (Hartley and Boyes, 1964 Hartley, W. J. and Boyes, Betty W. 1964. Incidence of ovine perinatal mortality in New Zealand with particular reference to intrauterine infections. N.Z. vet. J., 12: 33–36. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). Although clinical disease is rare in humans, serological evidence shows a high incidence of subclinical infection with 50% of New Zealand adults over 40 years of age showing positive titres (Manning and Reid, 1956 Manning, J. D. and Reid, J. D. 1956. Toxoplasmosis in New Zealand. A serological survey. N.Z. med. J., 55: 441–447. [PubMed] , [Google Scholar]). There is, however, a paucity of information on the disease incidence in other species in this country. Hartley (1956) Hartley, W. J. 1956. Some observations on canine toxoplasmosis. N.Z. vet. J., 4: 115–118. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar] has recorded toxoplasmosis in dogs and fowls. Pneumonia in a pig associated with Toxoplasma gondii was described by Shortridge and Smith (1964) Shortridge, E. H. and Smith, B. 1964. Toxoplasmosis in a pig in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 12: 118–120. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar] while, more recently, Shortridge (1968) Shortridge, E. H. 1968. Toxoplasmosis in cats in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 16: 129–130. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar] noted two cases of feline toxoplasmosis. This present communication concerns an outbreak of acute toxoplasmosis in several piglets.     

The diagnosis and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency in young lambs

Abstract

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In the course of some earlier experiments, it was observed that vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in 2 hoggets was corrected by injection of hydroxocobalamin (vitamin B_12b) (E. D. Andrews, pers. comm., 1972). Since this form of therapy offered a convenient and effective means of treating young lambs suffering from vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, more detailed investigations were desirable. It has been known for some time that lambs on the cobalt-deficient area at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Kaitoke Farm lose condition after weaning. Abnormal amounts of methylmalonic acid (MMA) had been found in the urine of some of these lambs, indicating a state of vitamin B12 deficiency Andrews et al, (1970 Andrews, E. D., Hogan, K. G., Stephenson, B. J., White, D. A. and Elliott, D. C. 1970. Cobalt and thiabendazole live-weight responses in grazing sheep, and their relation to the urinary excretion of methylmalonic acid. N.Z. Jl agric. Res., 13: 950–965. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]).     

Polio-encephalomalacia of sheep

Abstract

Extract

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.     

A sheep mortality survey in Hawke's bay

Abstract

Extract

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]).     

Acute enteritis and deaths in sheep from Salmonella hindmarsh associated with oral dosing with zinc oxide

Abstract

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Madam:– The administration of zinc salts to sheep at the time they are exposed to spores of Pithomyces chartarum will reduce the amount of liver damage from the mycotoxin contained in these spores.(7 Smith, B.L., Embling, P.P., Towers, N.R., Wright, D.E. and Payne, E. 1977. The protective effect of zinc sulphate in experimental sporidesmin poisoning of sheep. N.Z. vet. J., 25: 124–127. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar])(10 Towers, N.R., Smith, B.L., Wright, D.E. and Sinclair, D.P. 1975. Preventing facial eczema by using zinc. Proc. Ruakura Farmers Conference 1975, : 57–61.  [Google Scholar])(11 Towers, N.R., Wright, D.E., Aitken, W.M., Smith, B.L., Sim, A.L. and Sinclair, D.P. 1976. Zinc and facial eczema. Proc. Ruakura Farmers Conference 1976, : 65–68.  [Google Scholar]) It is a recommended practice in facial eczema susceptible areas of New Zealand.(9 Towers, N.R. and Smith, B.L. 1983. Facial eczema. Zinc dosing for prevention. Revised recommendations 1984, AgLink FPP 496 end revise [Google Scholar]) We wish to report a suspected outbreak of salmonellosis that occurred only in a ZnO-dosed group of trial animals and suggest that there may be an association between ZnO administration and salmonellosis.     

Equine herpesviruses causing respiratory disease

Abstract

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Madam:—I read with interest the letter Fu et al.(3 Fu, Z.F., Robinson, A.J., Dickinson, L.G. and Grimmett, J.B. 1986. Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection and vaccination with an inactivated EHV-1 vaccine. N.Z. vet. J., 34: 14–15. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]in which they state that “Preliminary investigations on this stud have indicated that equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV1) and type 2 (EHV2) were frequently isolated and might be the initiators of the respiratory disease observed”. Additional evidence that links EHV2 (equine cytomegalovirus or slowly growing equine herpesvirus) to equine respiratory disease will be important. There is some evidence and a very high level of suspicion that recurrent respiratory disease, malaise and poor performance are associated with EHV2 but providing definite evidence has been elusive and tends to be confounded by the fact that EHV2 can be isolated from more than 70% of horses, in some populations at least, but unassociated with recognisable disease.