Idiopathic auto-immune haemolytic anaemia in a horse

Extract

Sir:- In May 1982, an outbreak of severe lameness occurred among mature stags and hinds in a herd of red deer (Cervus elaphus) on a newly-established deer farm near Taupo. No other farm animals were present, the property having been destocked some months before arrival of the deer from several other North Island localities. When the matter was first referred to the local veterinary practitioner, up to 60 animals of the herd of 700 were affected. Males predominated. Most cases had a raw open lesion of the skin in the anterior region of the interdigital cleft with varying degrees of superticial epidermal necrosis as well as some progressive inflammation and ulceration. Destruction of subepithelial tissue was evident in the more advanced cases. In some instances, a deep putrefactive inflammation of the digital connective tissue extended into the phalangeal joints which had become gangrenous. Both front and rear feet were involved, but the horny area of the hoof was intact.