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]).     

Evaluation of a screening programme for identification of mannosidosis heterozygotes in angus cattle

Sir, — In recent years, much research effort has been directed towards identifying the cause of Ryegrass staggers (RGS). Many promising leads have been investigated, including studies of fungi in soil, ryegrass leaves, and dead leaf litter that could produce tremorgenic mycotoxins⁽³⁾. Several groups of fungi produce tremorgens⁽⁴⁾ which, when injected into sheep, produce symptoms similar to those in field outbreaks of RGS. However, under field conditions, populations of these fungi have not been shown to differ significantly between toxic and non-toxic pasture⁽⁷⁾ (McKenzie &; Byford, unpublished data).     

Swine dysentery

Extract

Sir, — We have just received a copy of the N.Z. Veterinary Journal for August, 1975 (Vol. 23, No.8) containing a most interesting communication by Pearce and Smith on the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of swine dysentery.     

A physiologically based pharmacokinetics model for florfenicol in crucian carp and oral‐to‐intramuscular extrapolation

Yang, F., Sun, N., Sun, Y. X., Shan, Q., Zhao, H. Y., Zeng, D. P., Zeng, Z. L. A physiologically based pharmacokinetics model for florfenicol in crucian carp and oral‐to‐intramuscular extrapolation. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.  36 , 192–200. In this study, an oral physiologically based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) model was developed for florfenicol in crucian carp (Carassius auratus). Subsequently, oral‐to‐intramuscular extrapolation was performed and the two models were used to predict florfenicol concentrations in the edible tissues of crucian carp. The oral model gave good predictions in most tissues, except for kidney and liver in which the florfenicol concentrations were underestimated at the later time points. In contrast, using the intramuscular model, the concentrations in the kidney were overestimated at the later time points. Both models had the best predictive ability in the main edible tissue, the muscle. The oral model also accurately predicted the florfenicol concentrations in the muscle after multiple doses. The present study demonstrated the feasibility of predicting florfenicol concentrations in the edible tissues of crucian carp using a route‐to‐route extrapolation method.     

Interaction between melatonin and follicle-stimulating hormone promotes in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on the in vitro culture of goat preantral follicles. Ovarian fragments were cultured for 7 d in α-minimum essential medium (α-MEM⁺) containing melatonin (100, 250, 500, or 1,000 pM), FSH (50 ng/mL), or a combination of the 2 hormones and further analyzed by histology and transmission electron and fluorescent microscopy. The results showed that after 7 d of culture, tissues cultured in α-MEM⁺ alone or supplemented with FSH alone, melatonin (500 and 1,000 pM), or the combination of FSH and melatonin (1,000 pM) maintained percentages of normal preantral follicles similar to the fresh control. In contrast to the noncultured tissues, the percentage of developing follicles was increased under all culture conditions after 7 d (P < 0.05). The addition of 1,000 pM melatonin associated with FSH to the culture medium increased follicular and oocyte diameters compared with α-MEM⁺ alone after 7 d of culture (P < 0.05). Ultrastructural and fluorescent analyses confirmed the integrity of follicles cultured with 1,000 pM of melatonin plus FSH for 7 d. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the interaction between melatonin and FSH maintains ultrastructural integrity and stimulates further growth of cultured caprine preantral follicles.     

Transient renal tubulopathy in a Labrador retriever.

A four-month-old male Labrador retriever was presented for polyuria, polydipsia and persistent euglycaemic glucosuria. On referral, diagnostic tests demonstrated abnormal fractional excretions of electrolytes, increased urinary excretion of selected amino acids, mild renal tubular acidosis and mild proteinuria, indicating renal tubular dysfunction. Pyelonephritis was suspected and potentiated amoxycillin was administered. On re-evaluation at six months of age, the dog was no longer polyuric or polydipsic and the metabolic abnormalities associated with the tubulopathy had resolved. Transient Fanconi's syndrome has not previously been reported in small animals. This report demonstrates the potential for recovery of function in cases presenting with renal tubulopathies.     

A retrospective study of the success of medical and surgical treatment of wild Australian raptors

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of medical and surgical regimens utilised to treat injured and diseased wild Australian raptors presented at our practice, and to determine if the time, effort and cost of treating the birds was justified in terms of the outcomes achieved. PROCEDURE: All the practice's clinical records relating to the examination and treatment of wild raptors were reviewed for the period April 1994 to December 1998. The species of birds, the aetiology of their injuries or diseases, the treatment protocols and the outcomes of those treatments were correlated and tabulated for evaluation. RESULTS: Fifteen Australian species of raptor were examined and treated. Complete records were available for 104 birds of prey, 73 being Accipitriformes and 31 Strigiformes. The poorest prognosis was for birds involved in motor vehicle impacts, while birds suffering malnutrition or starvation had higher survival rates. The overall rate of survival was 50%. CONCLUSION: Based on the severity of diseases and injuries at the time of presentation, the survival rate was considered acceptable. Veterinary involvement in the treatment of the wild raptors was necessary for the maintenance of the birds' welfare, and to determine appropriate treatments. Intangible benefits included increased practice staff satisfaction, and improving the veterinary professions' public image by providing pro bono treatment for Australian wildlife.