SONOGRAPHIC RENAL FINDINGS IN 20 DOGS WITH LEPTOSPIROSIS

Abdominal ultrasound examinations of 20 dogs with confirmed leptospirosis were reviewed retrospectively for renal abnormalities. Three dogs had a normal ultrasound examination. The remaining 17 dogs had sonographic abnormalities of the kidneys. These abnormalities, seen either alone or in combination, included renalmegaly (n=10), pyelectasia (n=9), increased cortical echogenicity (n=15), perinephric effusion (n=5), and a medullary band of increased echogenicity (n=6). At our institution, the medullary band of increased echogencity has only been seen in dogs with leptospirosis and may therefore be a specific sonographic sign for this disease.     

THE PREVALENCE OF TAPEWORMS IN DOGS DURING THE HYDATID LIMITATION PROGRAM IN TASMANIA

The hydatid Limitation Program in Tasmania began in 1965 with the annual purging of dogs to identify areas of high prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus combined with a strong educational program aimed at preventing access to offal by dogs. From 1969 to 1975 aenia spp detected in dog purges were submitted for identification and changes in annual prevalences analysed for each species. Despite a significant reduction in the prevalence of E. granulosus since the beginning of the program, the control measures involved have apparently not predisposed to any significant change in the prevalence of T. ovis and T. hydatigena during the period of this survey.     

ENCEPHALOLOPATHIES IN CATTLE IN TASMANIA

Five central nervous diseases are described and their relationships to previously recorded conditions are discussed. The conditions are congenital inclusion-body encephalopathy probably caused by a paramyxovirus infection, idiopathic neuraxial oedema of a newborn calf, focal symmetrical encephalomalacia of a young calf, yacca (Xanthorrhoea spp) poisoning of adult cattle leading to spinal demyelination, and focal demyelination and neuropathy in an adult cow.     

RENAL LEPTOSPIROSIS IN VACCINATED PIGS

SUMMARY The ability of 2 commercial leptospirosis vaccines to prevent renal colonisation with Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona was studied in pigs. Based on bacteriological, pathological and serological findings some degree of protection was found in vaccinates when compared with non-vaccinates after challenge 4, 7 and 12 months after vaccination. However, the degree of protection was insufficient to prevent colonisation and renal leptospirosis in 6 of 10 pigs at 4 months, 7 of 10 pigs at 7 months and 8 of 10 pigs at 12 months.