Heat stress as a manageable risk factor to mitigate pneumonia in lambs

Abstract

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The paper by Goodwin et al (2004 Goodwin, KA, Jackson, R, Brown, C, Davies, PR, Morris, RS and Perkins, NR. 2004. Pneumonic lesions in lambs in New Zealand: patterns of prevalence and effects on production. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 52: 175–9. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) which appeared in the August 2004 issue of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal highlighted the prevalence and costs to the sheep industry of pneumonia in lambs. The costs are considerable, and the article begs the question, “what can sheep farmers do to reduce the effects of pneumonia in lambs?”     

Re: Regional variations in the nematode worm populations of breeding ewes in New Zealand

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The paper by Hervé et al (2003) Hervé, M, McAnulty, RW, Logan, CM and Sykes, AR. 2003. Regional variations in the nematode worm populations of breeding ewes in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 51: 159–164. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] which appeared in the August 2003 issue of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal reported on regional differences in the relative proportions of nematode parasite species cultured from faecal samples collected from ewes during lactation.     

Demodex spp. infestation and suspected demodicosis of alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in New Zealand

Extract

Ectoparasites known to cause skin lesions in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) include the mites Sarcoptes scabiei, Chorioptes bovis and Psoroptes spp., and the lice Microthoracius mazzai and Bovicola breviceps (Cicchino et al. 1998 Cicchino, AC, Munoz, Cobenas ME, Bulman, GM, Diaz, JC and Laos, A. 1998. Identification of Microthoracius mazzai (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) as an economically important parasite of alpacas. Journal of Medical Entomology, 35: 922–930.  [Google Scholar]; Foster et al. 2007 Foster, A, Jackson, A and D'alterio, GL. 2007. Skin diseases of South American camelids. In Practice, 29: 216–223. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Occasionally, Demodex spp. infestations have been reported or mentioned as incidental fi ndings in llamas (Lama glama) (Atlee et al. 1997 Atlee, BA, Stannard, AA, Fowler, ME, Willemse, T, Ihrke, PJ and Olivry, T. 1997. The histology of the normal llama skin. Veterinary Dermatology, 8: 165–176. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) and alpacas (Foster et al. 2007 Foster, A, Jackson, A and D'alterio, GL. 2007. Skin diseases of South American camelids. In Practice, 29: 216–223. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). So far, only Sarcoptes scabiei (McKenna et al. 2005 McKenna, PB, Hill, FI and Gillett, R. 2005. Sarcoptes scabiei infection on an alpaca (Lama pacos. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 53: 213–213. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), Chorioptes bovis (Arthur 1997 Arthur, DG. 1997. Diseases of lamoids in New Zealand. Surveillance, 24(1): 29–30.  [Google Scholar], non-peer reviewed) and Bovicola breviceps (Palma et al. 2006 Palma, RL, McKenna, PB and Aitken, P. 2006. Confirmation of the occurrence of the chewing louse Bovicola (Lepikentron) breviceps (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae) on alpacas (Lamas pacos) in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 54: 253–254. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) have been recorded on lamoids in New Zealand. Here, we report the first record of Demodex spp. infestation of an alpaca in New Zealand.     

Serological evidence of respiratory syncytial virus infection in lambs

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Madam;–The results of field trials of a live parainfluenza virus type3(PI₃)vaccine suggested that(PI₃)might not be the only virus involved in the initiation of outbreaks of pneumonia in lambs in New Zealand,(5 Adair, B.M., McFerran, J.B. and McKillop, E.R. 1982. A sixth species of ovine adenovirus isolated from lambs in New Zealand. Arch. Virol., 74: 269–269. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar])The outbreaks that were not associated with infection with(PI₃)could not be linked to infection with the other ovine respiratory viruses then known to be present in New Zealand (ovine adenovirus type 6 and the ovine variant of bovine adenovirus type 7)((1 Adair, B.M., McFerran, J.B. and McKillop, E.R. 1982. A sixth species of ovine adenovirus isolated from lambs in New Zealand. Arch. Virol., 74: 269–269. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]),(4 Adair, B.M., McFerran, J.B. and McKillop, E.R. 1982. A sixth species of ovine adenovirus isolated from lambs in New Zealand. Arch. Virol., 74: 269–269. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]),(5 Adair, B.M., McFerran, J.B. and McKillop, E.R. 1982. A sixth species of ovine adenovirus isolated from lambs in New Zealand. Arch. Virol., 74: 269–269. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar])suggesting that other unrecognised viruses might be involved. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of pneumonia in human infants and in cattle.(8 Adair, B.M., McFerran, J.B. and McKillop, E.R. 1982. A sixth species of ovine adenovirus isolated from lambs in New Zealand. Arch. Virol., 74: 269–269. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar])This virus has recently been isolated from a yearling ewe with mild rhinitis(6 Adair, B.M., McFerran, J.B. and McKillop, E.R. 1982. A sixth species of ovine adenovirus isolated from lambs in New Zealand. Arch. Virol., 74: 269–269. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar])and there is serological evidence of infection in adult sheep.(3 Adair, B.M., McFerran, J.B. and McKillop, E.R. 1982. A sixth species of ovine adenovirus isolated from lambs in New Zealand. Arch. Virol., 74: 269–269. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]),(6 Adair, B.M., McFerran, J.B. and McKillop, E.R. 1982. A sixth species of ovine adenovirus isolated from lambs in New Zealand. Arch. Virol., 74: 269–269. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar])However, there are no reports implicating this virus in outbreaks of pneumonia in lambs, although experimental infection of lambs with a bovine isolate of RSV resulted in reduced pulmonary bacterial clearance leading to secondary pneumonic pasteurellosis.(2 Adair, B.M., McFerran, J.B. and McKillop, E.R. 1982. A sixth species of ovine adenovirus isolated from lambs in New Zealand. Arch. Virol., 74: 269–269. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar])     

Toxoplasmosis in piglets

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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.     

Neospora caninum infection in an aborted bovine foetus in Brazil

Abstract

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Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite first reported in dogs (Bjerkås et al., 1984 Bjerkås, I, Mohn, SF and Presthus, J. 1984. Unidentified cyst-forming sporozoan causing encephalomyelitis and myositis in dogs. Zeitschrift für Parasitenk, 70: 271–274. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]; Dubey et al., 1988a Dubey, JP, Carpenter, JL, Speer, CA, Topper, MJ and Uggla, A. 1988a. Newly recognized fatal protozoan disease of dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 192: 1269–1285. [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], Dubey et al., 1988b Dubey, JP, Hattel, AL, Lindsay, DS and Topper, MJ. 1988b. Neonatal Neospora caninum infection in dogs: Isolation of the causative agent and experimental transmission. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 193: 1259–1263.  [Google Scholar]) and subsequently recognised as a cause of bovine abortion (Dubey and Lindsay, 1993 Dubey, JP and Lindsay, DS. 1993. Neosporosis. Parasitology Today, 9: 452–458.  [Google Scholar]). Natural N. caninum infections have been reported in other animal species including the goat, sheep, horse and deer (Dubey and Lindsay, 1996 Dubey, JP and Lindsay, DS. 1996. A review of Neospora caninum and neosporosis. Veterinary Parasitology, 67: 1–59. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). The dog was recently identified as definitive host of the parasite (McAllister et al., 1998 McAllister, MM, Dubey, JP, Lindsay, DS, Jolley, WR, Wills, RA and McGuire, AM. 1998. Dogs are definitive hosts of Neosporu caninum. International Journal for Parasitology, 28: 1473–1478. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Neospora caninum has a worldwide distribution (Barber et al., 1995 Barber, JS, Holmdahl, OJM, Owen, MR, Uggla, A and Trees, AJ. 1995. Characterization of the first European isolate of Neosporu caninum (Dubey, Carpenter,Speer, Topper and Uggla). Parasitology, 111: 563–568.  [Google Scholar]; Duivenvoorden, 1995 Duivenvoorden, J. 1995. Neospora abortions in eastern Ontario dairy herds. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 36: 623–623.  [Google Scholar]; Jardine and Wells, 1995 Jardine, JE and Wells, BH. 1995. Bovine neosporosis in Zimbabwe. Veterinary Record, 137: 223–223.  [Google Scholar]; Stenlund et al., 1997 Stenlund, S, Bjorkman, C, Holmdahl, OJM, Kindahl, H and Uggla, A. 1997. Characterization of a Swedish bovine isolate of Neospora caninum. Parasitology Research, 83: 214–219.  [Google Scholar]; Thornton et al., 1991 Thornton, RN, Thompson, EJ and Dubey, JP. 1991. Neospora abortion in New Zealand cattle. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 39: 129–133. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]; Umemura et al., 1992 Umemura, T, Shiraki, K, Morita, T, Shimada, A, Haritani, M, Kobayashi, M and Yamagata, S. 1992. Neosporosis in a dog: The first case report in Japan. Journal of the Veterinary Medical Science, 54: 157–159.  [Google Scholar]) but the presence of N. caninum in Brazil has not been confirmed.     

Protein nutrition of dairy cattle

Abstract

In the June 1998 issue of the New Zealand Veterinay Journal, a clinical review was published focusing on aspects of the protein nutrition of dairy cattle (Westwood et al., 1998 Westwood, CT,, Lean, IJ, and Kellaway, RC. 1998. Indications and implications for testing milk urea in dairy cattle: A quantitative review. Part 1. Dietary protein sources and metabolism. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 46: 87–96. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). The authors wrote: “Most species of rumen bacteria can use ammonia for growth, but some, particularly bacteria which ferment cell wall carbohydrates, use or have obligate requirements for amino acids and peptides (Russel et al., 1992 Russel, JB,, O’Connor, JD,, Fox, DG,, Soest, PJ, van and Sniffen, CJ. 1992. A net carbohydrate and protein system for evaluating cattle diets. I. Ruminal fermentation. Journal of Animal Science, 70: 3551–61. [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar])”.     

Prevalence of Neospora antibodies in New Zealand dairy cattle and dogs

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Neospora caninum is a major cause of disease in cattle and dogs, manifesting with abortions in cattle, and hind limb paresis in mostly young dogs ⁽¹⁾ Dubey, JP and Lindsay, DS. 1996. A review of Neospora caninum and neosporosis. Veterinary Parasitology, 67: 1–59. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]. Previous reports from New Zealand suggest that around 30% of bovine abortions may be due to Neospora ⁽²⁾ Thornton, RN, Thompson, EJ and Dubey, JP. 1991. Neospora abortion in New Zealand cattle. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 39: 129–133. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] ⁽³⁾ Thornton, R. 1992. Bovine abortions — Laboratory diagnosis 1991. Surveillance, 19: 24–24.  [Google Scholar] and that about 40% of recently aborted dairy cows have antibodies against Neospora ⁽⁴⁾ Reichel, MP and Drake, JM. 1996. The diagnosis of Neospora abortions in cattle. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 44: 151–154. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar].     

Cobalt deficiency in sheep and diagnostic reference ranges

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In the last 2 years, two papers have been published suggesting that current New Zealand reference criteria for diagnosing cobalt deficiency should be reviewed (Grace et al 2003), and they are conservatively high and lead to the over-diagnosis of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency and ill-thriftiness in sheep (Gruner et al 2004). The comments refer to reference ranges cited by animal health diagnostic laboratories. These reference ranges were derived from the paper by Clark et al (1989 Clark, RG, Wright, DF, Millar, KR and Rowland, JD. 1989. Reference curves to diagnose cobalt deficiency in sheep using liver and serum vitamin B₁₂ levels.. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 37: 7–11. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), which reviewed data from published and unpublished weight gain response trials preceding that date. The review included all published trials in New Zealand and as many unpublished trials that the authors could obtain. They involved serum vitamin B12 data from 54 trials and liver vitamin B₁₂ data from 21 trials. It was stated that more data from trials conducted in autumn were required to reliably determine an autumn response curve. In addition, it was envisaged that as other trial data became available the reference curves could be upgraded (Clark et al 1985 Clark, RG, Wright, DF and Millar, KR. 1985. A proposed new approach and protocol to defining mineral deficiencies using reference curves. Cobalt deficiency in young sheep is used as a model.. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 33: 1–5. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]).     

Filaroides infections in wild ferrets (Mustela putorius) and stoats (Mustela erminea)

Abstract

Species of metastrongylid nematodes of the genus Filaroides have been recorded in various hosts throughout the world(1) Anderson, RC. 1978. “No.5. Keys to the genera of the superfamily Metastrongyloidea”. In CIH Keys to the Nematode Parasites of Vertebrates, Edited by: Anderson, RC, Chabaud, AG and Willmott, S. 3–4. Wallingford: CAB International.  [Google Scholar]. In New Zealand, the only known species is Filaroides (= Oslerus) osleri, which occurs in wart-like nodules near the bifurcation of the trachea of the dog(2) Jones, BR, Clark, WT, Collins, GH and Johnstone, AC. 1977. Filuroides osleri in a dog. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 25: 103–104. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar].     

Re: The safety of oral calcium formate

Abstract

A Short Communication was published in the October 2002 issue of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal entitled “An investigation of the safety of oral calcium formate in dairy cows using clinical, biochemical and histopathological parameters” (McIntyre and Weston 2002 McIntyre, LH and Weston, SJ. 2002. An investigation of the safety of oral calcium formate in dairy cows using clinical, biochemical and histopathological parameters. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 50: 195–198. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). It appeared to be comparing results directly withthose of a prior communication (Scott and Van Wijk 2000 Scott, DJ and Van Wijk, N. 2000. Comparison in dairy cattle of mucosal toxicity of calcium formate and calcium chloride in oil. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 48: 24–26. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]).     

Tuberculous sialoadenitis in a badger

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Tuberculous lesions in the skin of carnivorous species such as the mustelids have often been associated with the contamination of bite wounds inflicted during intra-species conflict (Muirhead et al., 1974 Muirhead, RH, Gallagher, J and Burn, KJ. 1974. Tuberculosis in wild badgers in Gloucestershire: Epidemiology. Veterinary Record, 95: 552–555.  [Google Scholar]; Cheeseman et al., 1988 Cheeseman, CL, Wilesmith, JW, Stuart, FA and Mallinson, PJ. 1988. Dynamics of tuberculosis in a naturally infected badger population. Mammal Review, 18: 61–72.  [Google Scholar]; Clifton-Hadley et al., 1993 Clifton-Hadley, RS, Wilesmith, JW and Stuart, FA. 1993. Mycobacterium bovis in the European badger (Meles meles): Epidemiological findings in tuberculous badgers from a naturally infected population. Epidemiology and Infection, 111: 9–19.  [Google Scholar]; Nolan and Wilesmith, 1994 Nolan, A and Wilesmith, JW. 1994. Tuberculosis in badgers (Meles meles). Veterinary Microbiology, 40: 179–191.  [Google Scholar]; Ragg et al., 1995 Ragg, JR, Waldrup, KA and Moller, H. 1995. The distribution of gross lesions of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis in feral ferrets (Mustela furo) from Otago, New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 43: 338–341. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]; Lugton et al., 1997 Lugton, IW, Wobeser, G, Morris, RS and Caley, P. 1997. Epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis infection in feral ferrets (Mustela furo) in New Zealand: II. Routes of infection and excretion. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 45: 151–157. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). A strong association between tuberculous tonsillitis and recovery of Mycobacterium bovis from the oral cavity of ferrets (Mustela furo) was reported by Lugton et al. (1997 Lugton, IW, Wobeser, G, Morris, RS and Caley, P. 1997. Epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis infection in feral ferrets (Mustela furo) in New Zealand: II. Routes of infection and excretion. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 45: 151–157. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). They believed that the recovery of M. bovis from the pharynx was enhanced by the act of swabbing which could damage the oral mucosal epithelium and dislodge infected mucosal macrophages. The authors speculated that tubercle bacilli could enter the oral cavity through disrupted tonsillar epithelium, although they found no evidence of epithelial damage. It is also well established that in many species, infected pulmonary secretions reach the oral cavity and contaminate saliva (Jennings, 1949 Jennings, AR. 1949. The distribution of tuberculous lesions in the dog and cat, with reference to the pathogenesis. Veterinary Record, 61: 380–384.  [Google Scholar]).     

Neurological laryngeal paralysis in the dog

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It is always satisfying to attempt to explain the clinical signs of a disease from the altered physiology that occurs. In the article Neurogenic laryngeal paralysis in the dog(1 Burbidge, H, Goulden, BE and Jones, BR. 1991. Neurogenic laryngeal paralysis in the dog. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 39: 83–87. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) the clinical signs of laryngeal stridor, increased respiratory rate and exercise intolerance could be explained as follows:     

Leptospirosis in a lamb

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Recently, we reported on outbreaks of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona infection in newly weaned lambs(1) Vermunt, JJ, West, DM, Cooke, MM, Alley, MR and Collins-Emerson, J. 1994. Observations on three outbreaks of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona infection in lambs. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 42: 133–6. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]. It was suggested that wet environmental conditions played an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease in that class of sheep. This communication presents observations on another case of ovine leptospirosis, one that occurred under different circumstances, i.e. different season, age and environmental conditions.     

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]).     

Screening for the Mucopolysaccharidosis-IIIA gene in Huntaway dogs

Abstract

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A single case of the inherited lysosomal storage disease known as mucopolysaccharidosis-IIIA (MPS-IIIA), due to a deficiency of the enzyme heparan sulphatase, was reported in an 18-month-old male Huntaway dog (Jolly et al 2000 Jolly, RD, Allan, FJ, Collett, MG, Rozaklis, T, Muller, VJ and Hopwood, JJ. 2000. Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (Sanfilippo syndrome) in a New Zealand Huntaway dog with ataxia. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 48: 144–148. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). He had developed normally but when presented with a history of progressive ataxia over the preceding month, had a high stepping, prancing gait and difficulty in jumping into a utility vehicle. In addition, he had started to defaecate in his kennel. Following diagnosis of the enzyme deficiency, the mutant heparan sulphatase gene was sequenced and a PCR/restriction enzyme diagnostic test developed, based on the mutation. This is capable of detecting both homozygous and heterozygous individuals (Yogalingam et al 2000 Yogalingam, G, Pollard, T, Gliddon, B, Jolly, RD and Hopwood, JJ. 2001. Identification of a mutation causing mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA in New Zealand Huntaway dogs. Genomics, 79: 150–153.  [Google Scholar]).     

Comment on anthelmintic use in goats and the effect of route of administration

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In a recent publication in this journal(1) Bailey, KM. 1994. Anthelmintic use in goats and the effect of route of administration. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 42: 37–8. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], administration of oral and injectable moxidectin (Vetdectin, Cyanamid N.Z. Ltd) to goats was found to result in faecal egg count reductions of 0% and 84% respectively, in infections that were predominantly composed of Ostertugia spp. The author considered that these results raised issues pertaining to the relative effectiveness of different routes of anthelmintic administration in goats and further suggested, as the animals were suffering from “water belly” at the time of treatment, that the occurrence of this syndrome may also have affected the pharmacodynamics of the anthelmintic.     

Diseases of the domestic fowl in Northern New Zealand

Abstract

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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]).     

A case of onion poisoning in a cow

Abstract

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There are recorded cases (Cheeke and Schull, 1985 Cheeke, PR and Shull, LR, eds. 1985. Natural Toxicants in Feed :and Poisonous Plants Westport CT, , USA: P 279. AVI Publishing Company,.  [Google Scholar]) of onion poisoning in cattle and horses that have eaten onions, Allium cepa, but none in New Zealand (Connor, 1977 Connor, HE. 1977. The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand Wellington: P 121. Government Printer,.  [Google Scholar]). In this country pigs (Anon, 1978 Anon. 1978. Suspected onion poisoning (pigs). Surveillance, 31: 17–17.  [Google Scholar]) and a dog (Smith and Ellison, 1986 Smith, CH and Ellison, RS. 1986. Concurrent onion poisoning and haematuria in a dog. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 34: 77–78. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) have been reported as having been poisoned by eating onions. This letter reports a case of poisoning by that plant.     

Incidence of ryegrass staggers in white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) at Auckland Zoo

Abstract

Extract

Most perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) plants in pastures in New Zealand contain a naturally occurring fungal endophyte, Neotyphodium lolii. Endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass produces alkaloids that vary in concentration during the year. Some alkaloids enhance the persistence and productivity of ryegrass pastures by protecting them against insect attack. However, when other alkaloids are consumed they can reduce animal performance and lead to health problems. The alkaloid lolitrem B, for example, causes the neuromuscular disorder ryegrass staggers (Fletcher et al 1999 Fletcher, LR, Sutherland, BL and Fletcher, CG. 1999. “The impact of endophyte on the health and productivity of sheep grazing ryegrass-based pastures”. In Ryegrass endophyte: an essential New Zealand symbiosis Grassland Research and Practice Series Edited by: Woodfield, DR and Matthew, C. Vol. 7, 11–17.  [Google Scholar]). Clinical symptoms of ryegrass staggers in animals range from slight muscular tremors through to staggering and complete collapse. Severely affected animals create management problems and are prone to accidental death. Outbreaks occur sporadically, particularly in summer and autumn and affect sheep, cattle, deer, horses, llamas (Lama glama) and alpaca (Lama pacos). Lolitrem B appears to be a stable compound, which tends to be concentrated in the leaf sheath at the base of the ryegrass plant and in the seed-heads (di Menna et al 1992 di Menna, ME, Mortimer, PH, Prestidge, RA, Hawkes, AD and Sprosen, JM. 1992. Lolitrem B concentrations, counts of Acremo ni um lolii hyphae, and the incidence of ryegrass staggers in lambs on plots of A. lolii-infected perennial ryegrass. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 35: 211–217. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]; Keogh et al 1996 Keogh, RG, Tapper, BA and Fletcher, RH. 1996. Distributions of the fungal endophyte Acremonium lolii, and of the alkaloids lolitrem B and peramine, within perennial ryegrass. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 39: 121–127. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Hay made from endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass contains large numbers of seed-heads and lolitrem B concentrations can be high, especially if it is made in late summer or autumn and, consequently, animals fed such hay are at risk of developing ryegrass staggers.