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

2024 Autumn edition of case studies

Sheep

A severe outbreak of both congenital and acquired copper deficiency in Spanish lambs
Written by: Maialen Zinkunegi, Isabel Cuartielles, Raquel García, Arthur Cobayashi, Pilar Trejo, Miriam Lazpita, Paula Jiménez, Janire Fernandez, Lucía Rodriguez, Álex Gómez, María Climent & Delia Lacasta
Affected newborn lambs presented with severe ataxia, causing inanition and death. Additionally, 2-3% of the fattening lambs of the previous lambing period developed hindlimb paresis after weaning ... Read More

Cattle

Lumpy skin disease excluded and severe Dermatophilus infection diagnosed in a heifer weaner
Written by: Meg Parsons, District Veterinarian, Local Land Services, Northern Tablelands
Upon examination the heifer was bright and alert, with up to 80% of her skin was covered with grey, crusted, raised, coalescing lesions ... Read More

Sudden death in a calf due to lead toxicity following access to old batteries
Written by: Kylie Greentree, Hunter LLS
On dissection of the gastrointestinal tract, there were noticeable black hard flakes sitting in the reticulum, which were assumed to be lead from the batteries ... Read More

Toxic nephropathy in cattle grazing pastures heavily infested with blue heliotrope (Heliotropium ampexicaule)
Written by: Bruce Watt, Central Tablelands Local Land Services, Bathurst; Michael Willott, Upper Macquarie County Council, Bathurst; Patrick Staples and Erika Bunker, Veterinary Pathologists, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle
The owner of the property reported that one of 40 mature Angus cattle with calves at foot died after becoming emaciated and that four other cows were in poor to emaciated condition ... Read More