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

2025 Autumn edition of case studies

Sheep

Severe tongue lesions in lambs consigned for slaughter prompting an omagod moment, the lesions were consistent with orf infection and foot-and-mouth disease was ruled out
Written by: Jeremy Rogers, Senior Veterinary Officer, PIRSA, Murray Bridge, SA and Jemma Hassam Veterinary Officer, PIRSA, Naracoorte
In early September 2024 an alert DAFF Veterinarian working at a processing plant in South Australia noticed a consignment of lambs with unusual nose and tongue lesions and became alarmed ... Read More

Suspected Anagallis arvensis (syn. Lysimachia arvensis) intoxication in sheep
Written by: Erika Bunker, Veterinary Pathologist, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, and Jess Cooke, District Veterinarian, Central Tablelands Local Land Services, Mudgee
Anagallis arvensis is a weed of crops, fallow land and disturbed sites, and contains an unidentified toxin that can potentially damage the kidneys with the whole plant being toxic and remaining toxic when dried ... Read More

Cattle

Alpha-mannosidosis in Angus calves
Written by: Victoria Churchill, District Veterinarian, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services
A producer in the Northern Tablelands contacted LLS after he noticed two, three-month-old Angus calves with ataxia, after he had euthanased another calf at marking due to aimless wandering ... Read More

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis diagnosed in an outbreak of upper respiratory disease in a Central Tablelands Angus herd
Written by: Bruce Watt, Central Tablelands Local Land Services, Bathurst and Phil Hayton, Mark Hazelton and Pedro Pinczowski, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle
In February 2024, respiratory signs were reported in a herd of Angus cattle in the Central Tablelands of NSW, affecting 15% of 18-month-old heifers but none of the 100 mature cows in the same mob ... Read More