Case notes on veterinary investigations in sheep, cattle and other species
2025 Spring edition of case studies
Sheep
An outbreak of crystal-associated cholangiohepatopathy in composite lambs grazing Tribulus terrestris
Written by: Bruce Watt, Central Tablelands Local Land Services, Bathurst, Will Clark-Dickson, farm manager and Angel Ngo,
Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle
In this outbreak, which occurred in February 2025, 250 lambs became sick and died due to hepatogenous photosensitisation ... Read More
Obstructive rhinopathy associated with the consumption of grass contaminated with the sporidesmin toxin from the
fungus Pseudopithomyces chartarum
Written by: Héctor Ruiz1, Pablo Quílez1, Marta Ruiz de Arcaute1, Marcelo de las
Heras1, Ane Garziandia2, Ane Rivas3, Enrique Castells4, David
Guallar1, Delia Lacasta1
1 Ruminant clinical service of the Department of Animal Pathology and Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2
(Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, 50013, Spain
2 Gomiztegi koop. Basque Country. Spain
3 Veterinary Practitioner. Basque Country. Spain
4 Centro clínico Veterinario. Zaragoza. Spain
Six Blonde-faced Latxa sheep from the Basque Country (Spain) were referred for severe respiratory distress and persistent snoring, affecting up to 70-90% of animals in some flocks ... Read More
Orf virus in the ears of lambs on the Yorke Peninsula
Written by: Jeremy Rogers, PIRSA Senior Veterinary Officer, Murray Bridge, SA
A producer on the Yorke Peninsula, SA observed some hard lumpy lesions on the ears of his lambs about one month after
lamb marking and which appeared to be associated with ear tags ... Read More
Cattle
Intradermal gas bubbles in cattle dying of lightning strike
Written by: Bruce Watt and Jess Cooke, Central Tablelands Local Land Services, Lou Baskind, Southern Tablelands Local Land Services and Shaun Slattery, North West Local Land Services
This report presents three cases of presumed lightning strike in which, in all cases, 1-5 cm intradermal bubbles were discovered from one to five days after death ... Read More
Lightning strike deaths and neurological signs in cattle
Written by: Jess Cooke and Bruce Watt, District Veterinarians, Central Tablelands Local Land Services
In late November, the first author was called to investigate multiple cattle deaths, with surviving cattle
showing signs of neurological disease, in the Central Tablelands of NSW ... Read More
Other
A case of paresis in backyard poultry suspected to be caused by Argas persicus (Fowl Tick)
Written by: Alicia Moses, District Veterinarian Central West LLS
The hen was found in a sitting position and had difficulty getting up and tending to move on her hocks, but could stand with assistance and take a few weak steps before sinking down again ... Read More