Case notes on veterinary investigations in sheep, cattle and other species

2016 Spring edition of case studies

Sheep

Kangaroo gait in lactating ewes
Written by: Annabel Cadzow, Final-year DVM student, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy andBruce Watt, Tablelands Livestock Health and Pest Authority, Bathurst
Kangaroo gait in lactating ewes is an unusual neurological disease of low flock prevalence that typically affects multiple bearing ewes of larger breeds 3-6 weeks after lambing ... Read More

Cattle

Botulism causing high mortality in a small beef herd
Written by: Nigel Gillan, District Veterinarian, Mudgee
Botulism is a disease caused by toxins produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and is characterised by progressive, flaccid paralysis and in some situations morbidity and mortality may be high ... Read more

Bovine anaemia due to Theileria orientalis in homebred beef calves
Written by: Ian Poe District Veterinarian, Kempsey
A protozoan red blood cell parasite of cattle, historically referred to as Theileria buffeli, has been present in Australia for many years ... Read more

Bovine enzootic haematuria with multiple neoplasms in a mature angus cow
Written by: Amy Masters, Central Tablelands Local Land Services, Orange and Pat Shearer, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute
Bracken fern causes two distinct diseases in cattle: an acute haemorrhagic syndrome associated with leukopaenia, thrombocytopaenia and anaemia; and a syndrome of multiple urinary bladder tumours known as bovine enzootic haematuria ... Read more

Coliform bacteraemia, with meningitis and other sequelae, in a neonatal beef calf
Written by: Ian Poe District Veterinarian, Kempsey
The calf was noted to initially have a depressed appearance and difficulty standing, later it began to display opisthotonus before becoming recumbent and dying ... Read more