bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of a controlled‐release albendazole capsule on parasitism and production from grazing Merino ewes and lambs
Authors: BARGER IA , STEEL JW , RODDEN BR 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: Effects of a controlled‐release albendazole capsule (CRC) on nematode parasitism and production of Merino ewes and lambs were Investigated in a replicated grazing experiment between August 1986 and July 1989. The experiment was conducted on a site where the naturally occurring parasites were benzimidazole‐resistant, with double the recommended dose of oxfendazole reducing faecal egg counts of Trichostrongylus colubriformis by less than 50%. Two CRC treatments were compared with a minimal treatment control and the widely‐used strategic control program, Wormkill.Egg counts and worm burdens of major parasite species of ewes and of lambs before and after weaning were significantly reduced by use of the CRC in ewes before lambing or in lambs at weaning. These parasitological effects were reflected in increased productivity of CRC ewes and lambs. Ewes given CRCs lost less weight and grew more wool during lactation than ewes given Wormkill or control treatments, while their lambs gained more weight and had heavier fleeces than lambs from Wormkill or control treatments. Where lambs were weaned by removing ewes from the lambing paddock, administration of the CRC at weaning to lambs whose dams had also been treated with the CRC did not result in improved production when compared with lambs from ewes dosed with CRCs and treated after weaning according to the Wormkill program. Some possible uses for the CRC in ewes and lambs were identified.
Diarrhoea in Merino ewes during winter: association with trichostrongylid larvae
Authors: LARSEN JWA , ANDERSON N , VIZARD AL , ANDERSON GA , HOSTE H 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY A study on 3 farms, each having a preventive strategy for the control of nematode infections, determined the risk factors associated with diarrhoea among Merino ewes in winter. Comparisons were made among groups of mated and unmated ewes with and without treatment with controlled‐release capsules containing albendazole. Diarrhoea was assessed from the accumulations of faeces around the breech (dag score) and related to worm egg counts, total worm counts and histopathological findings.The overall prevalence of severe dag in ewes not treated with a capsule was 26% (221/844). In comparison, only 2.7% of treated ewes had severe dag. The adjusted odds ratio on each farm indicated that untreated ewes were between 12 and 16 times more likely to be affected with severe dag than ewes treated with a capsule. The effect of lactation was significant on only one farm whereas initial body weight had no significant effect. There was no significant association between worm egg counts and the occurrence of severe dag. There were significantly more eosinophils in the small intestine of ewes affected with severe dag compared with unaffected ewes. There were no significant differences in mast cell and globule leucocyte numbers between affected and unaffected ewes.This study provides strong evidence that the main cause of diarrhoea among Merino ewes grazing winter and early spring pastures is the ingestion of trichostrongylid larvae even by sheep that have a well‐developed protective immune response to these parasites. New strategies for the control of nematode infections are needed to prevent diarrhoea and dag formation in adult sheep.
Efficacy against sheep lice (Bovicola ovis) and fleece wetting of six shower dip preparations
Authors: HIGGS ARB , LOVE RA , MORCOMBE PW 
Published: March 2008

Summary The relative efficacy of 6 shower dip chemicals most frequently used for the treatment of sheep lice (Bovicola ovis) in Western Australia was examined. Groups of 20 sheep infested with lice were treated with products containing either alphamethrin, cyhalothrin, diazinon or diazinon plus piperonyl butoxide and rotenone, formulated as emulsifiable concentrates, and with products containing either coumaphos or magnesium fluorosilicate, formulated as wettable powders. All treatments were applied through a shower dip (Sunbeam model SSD). Inspections for lice were conducted until 9 months after dipping.No lice were found on sheep treated with the 4 emulsifiable concentrate products. In contrast, treatment with the wettable powders, which contained either coumaphos or magnesium fluorosilicate as the active ingredient, did not eradicate the lice infestations. The degree to which the fleece was wetted was assessed 20 minutes after dipping and showed that the wettable powder dips penetrated the fleece less than the emulsifiable concentrate dips. Less fluid was retained by wool staples in an in‐vitro test when dip wash was made with the wettable powders. It was concluded that the degree of wetting attained at dipping was an important factor in achieving eradication of sheep lice.
Retropharyngeal lymph node infection in horses: 46 cases (1977–1992)
Authors: GOLLAND LC , HODGSON DR , DAVIS RE , RAWLINSON RJ , COLLINS MB , McCLINTOCK SA , HUTCHINS DR 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY A retrospective study of 46 horses with retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) infection presented to the Rural Veterinary Centre between 1977 and 1992 was undertaken. Horses aged less than one year were most commonly represented (46%). Thirty‐nine percent of cases had been exposed to horses with confirmed or suspected strangles (Streptococcus equi subsp equi infection) within the previous 8 weeks. Most frequent signs were unilateral or bilateral swelling of the throat region (65%), respiratory stertor/dyspnoea (35%), purulent nasal discharge (20%), inappetence and signs of depression (15%), and dysphagia (9%). All horses had a soft tissue density in the retropharyngeal region on radiographs. Rhinopharyngoscopy, ultrasonography, haematology as well as cytological and microbial analysis of material aspirated from the soft tissue swelling facilitated diagnosis in some horses.Fifteen horses (33%) were treated with procaine penicillin intramuscularly for 4 to 7 days followed by oral trimethoprim‐sulphadimidine for 7 to 14 days. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were administered to 6 horses. Four required tracheostomy for severe respiratory distress. The 15 horses treated medically responded to treatment and were discharged from hospital. Three horses (6%) with mild signs received no treatment and recovered uneventfully.Twenty‐eight horses (61%) underwent general anaesthesia and surgical drainage of a RPLN abscess. Nineteen received procaine penicillin G for 4 to 7 days. Four of the nine horses that did not receive antibiotic treatment after surgery required further surgical drainage 10 days to 7 weeks after the initial surgery.Limited follow‐up information was available for 37 horses. Thirty‐two horses were considered to have made complete recovery, 3 horses had died through misadventure and 2 had been euthanased because of chronic ill‐thrift.
The spread of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection to unvaccinated and vaccinated sheep
Authors: PATON MW , SUTHERLAND SS , ROSE IR , HART RA , MERCY AR , ELLIS TM 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The decrease in the prevalence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis after two generations of vaccination against the disease it causes, was used to estimate the rate of control of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA). Three groups of 150 sheep, of which 50 in each group were artificially infected with C pseudotuberculosis and 100 in each group were uninfected sheep, were run separately for 40 months and shorn 5 times to promote the spread of CLA. One lot of 50 infected sheep and 2 lots of 100 uninfected sheep were vaccinated against CLA. The rate of spread of CLA was recorded. Sheep vaccinated against CLA and naturally exposed to infection had a 74% lower infection rate than unvaccinated sheep. Sheep vaccinated against CLA and exposed to only vaccinated infected sheep had a 97% lower infection rate. Unvaccinated sheep had a 76% infection rate, with 77% of the transmission occurring at the 4th and 5th shearings, without any discharging CLA abscesses being observed. This study supports the view that in Australian wool producing flocks, CLA spreads mainly from sheep with discharging lung abscesses to sheep with shearing cuts. Vaccinated sheep infected with CLA have 96% fewer lung abscesses compared with unvaccinated infected sheep and are therefore less likely to spread this disease to other sheep.
The persistence of foot‐and‐mouth disease virus on wool
Authors: McCOLL KA , WESTBURY HA , KITCHING RP , LEWIS VM 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Five Suffolk sheep, held in a high‐security isolation room, were exposed for 2 hours to the aerosol of 3 mature pigs that had been infected with foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (FMDV), strain O1‐BFS. The fleeces of 3 of the sheep were contaminated with FMDV at 2 days post exposure (dpe), while at 5 dpe the fleeces of all 5 sheep were more extensively, and more heavily, contaminated. The persistence of FMDV on contaminated wool was examined in vitro using multiple 0.5 g samples of Merino wool that were each contaminated with one of 3 strains of FMDV in tissue‐culture medium: O1‐BFS, O‐Morocco (O‐MOR 9/91) or an Asia 1 strain (TAI 1/90). Wool samples were held at either 4°C, 18°C or 37°C, and decay curves were established for each virus at each temperature. These curves predicted that O1‐BFS, O‐MOR 9/91 and TAI 1/90 would fall below detect‐able levels at 72, 70 and 48 days post contamination (pc), respectively, for wool stored at 4°C; at 11, 12 and 12 days pc, respectively, for wool stored at 18°C; and at 57, 68 and 33 hours pc, respectively, for wool stored at 37°C. For wool contaminated with O1‐BFS‐infected sheep faeces, urine or blood, or with O1‐BFS‐infected cattle saliva, decay curves predicted virus to persist for 5 to 11 days pc at 18°C. We demonstrated that the simulated scouring of FMDV‐contaminated wool at 60° to 70°C would usually reduce virus to below detectable levels. The detergent component of the scouring process had little, if any, antiviral activity, and scouring at 20°C or 50°C had limited impact on FMDV titres. We recommend that either (1) simple storage of FMDV‐contaminated wool for 4 weeks at temperatures of 18°C or higher, or (2) scouring of contaminated wool at 60° to 70°C would be sufficient to remove the threat of FMDV‐contaminated wool being infectious to other animals.
Direct effects of induced parturition on subsequent reproductive performance of dairy cows from commercial herds in south‐western Victoria
Authors: MORTON JM , BUTLER KL 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Reproductive performance was compared between cows whose previous parturition was induced and non‐induced cows with similar calving dates, in 49 winter‐calving, pasture‐fed, commercial dairy herds in south‐western Victoria. Parturition was induced in winter when most cows were between 27 and 35 weeks of pregnancy. Reproductive performance was assessed during the next mating period after induction which was mainly in spring of the same year. Percentages of cows in induced and untreated groups that were not pregnant after the mating period (9.0% and 7.2%, respectively) did not differ significantly. Induction tended to increase the percentage of cows of unknown pregnancy status. Mean percentages for induced and untreated groups were 11.5% and 7.9%, respectively. Induced and untreated groups calved at similar intervals after the planned start of calving in the following year, and the percentages of groups that required induction in that year did not differ significantly. The direct effects of induced parturition on reproduction were therefore concluded to be minimal. In seasonal calving herds, improvements in reproductive performance could be expected among cows whose calving dates were altered substantially by induction, due to increased intervals from calving to mating start date.
Quarantine requirements for the importation of black rhinoceros from Zimbabwe into Australia
Authors: DOYLE KA , ROBINSON BA , WILSON DW 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The proposal by the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales to import 10 southern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) from Zimbabwe as part of an international project for conservation of the species presented the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) with a unique challenge. This importation is, at least in the modern era, the first importation of live herbivores from the African continent.Many of the serious animal diseases in the world are endemic in parts of Africa. Knowledge of which of these diseases infect wild species and may be transmitted from the wild species to domesticated species, is limited.This paper describes the strategies adopted by AQIS to facilitate the importation of rhinoceros while maintaining protection of Australian consumers, rural industries, domestic livestock and fauna against the entry and spread of unwanted pests and diseases.
The importation of the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) from Zimbabwe into Australia
Authors: KELLY JD , BLYDE DJ , DENNEY IS 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The paper describes a program to import and breed black rhinoceros ex situ at Western Plains Zoo in Australia. Nine rhinoceros (7 females and 2 males) captured in 1992 in Chete National Park, Zimbabwe, were transported to Australia via Cocos Island. The veterinary treatment of the animals before and during quarantine in Zimbabwe and on Cocos (Keeling) Islands is described.Three animals died; an adult male on Cocos Islands and a juvenile male and an adult female at Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, New South Wales. The juvenile male died as a result of trauma sustained shortly after arrival and the two adults after developing a severe hepatopathy. The group of 6 females and an additional 4 males imported from the USA in 1994 have adapted well to captivity and to the climate and environment of central west New South Wales.
The therapeutic efficacy and prophylactic activity of doramectin against Dictyocaulus viviparus in cattle
Authors: BARTON NJ , MITCHELL PJ , HOOKE FG , REYNOLDS J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Three groups of 8, 4‐month‐old male Jersey or Jersey‐cross calves were infected with 2400 Dictyocaulus viviparus L3 larvae and either left untreated or injected subcutaneously with 200 μg/kg doramectin 5 or 25 days after infection (DAI). Lungworms were found in all untreated cattle (geometric mean = 49) at necropsy 39 or 40 DAI. None was found in any of the treated cattle.In a second experiment, groups of 6, 8‐month‐old calves were untreated or injected with 200 μg/kg doramectin 28, 21 or 14 days before each calf was challenged with 2700 D viviparus larvae. Lungworms were recovered at necropsy 32 to 34 DAI. The geometric mean worm burden in the untreated cattle was 550. This was reduced by 100%, 99.5% and 94.1% in calves treated with doramectin 14, 21 or 28 days, respectively, before infection.It was concluded that doramectin is a highly effective anthelmintic against D viviparus adult or L4 infections of cattle, and that reinfection of treated cattle will be significantly reduced for at least 28 days after treatment.
Production losses in Merino ewes and financial penalties caused by trichostrongylid infections during winter and spring
Authors: LARSEN JWA , VIZARD AL , ANDERSON N. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: The productivity of Merino ewes treated with ivermectin and a controlled‐release capsule containing albendazole was compared with untreated ewes grazing the same pastures on each of 3 farms. Treated breeding ewes had significantly increased greasy fleece weights (GFW, 6.5% and 7.1%) compared with untreated breeding ewes, on 2 of 3 farms but treatment caused no significant increase in the GFW of non‐breeding ewes. Other benefits of treatment on all farms were a significant increase in body weight gain (from 1.7 to 3.7 kg) and a significant decrease in the weight of dag removed at crutching (from 42 to 622 g). These benefits occurred despite the presence on each farm of worms resistant to benzimidazoles. One disadvantage of treatment was an increase in mean fibre diameter of wool from treated ewes of from 0.12 to 0.41 μm. This increase reduces the value of the wool. Partial budgets indicated a net loss of from 8 to 62 cents per ewe for treatment. However, potential benefits such as increased growth rate and wool production from lambs of treated ewes were not included in the analysis.On one farm ewes were classified as ‘susceptible’ to severe dag if they had a dag score ≥ 4 at the time of capsule treatment. Ewes classified as ‘susceptible’ were about 7 times more likely to develop severe dag than were other ewes. There was no significant difference between the GFW of untreated ‘susceptible’ ewes and untreated ewes not classified as ‘susceptible’. Additionally, the response of GFW to treatment was no different to the response seen in ewes that were not classified as ‘susceptible’. The direct cost of diarrhoea and dag formation in Merino ewes was estimated to be 18, 30, 53, 86, 98 and 145 cents per head for ewes with a dag score of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. This cost did not include potential benefits from reduced risk of breech strike, or intangible benefits associated with the improved welfare of sheep.
Comparison of methods to assess dog owners' therapeutic compliance
Authors: BARTER LS , MADDISON JE , WATSON ADJ 
Published: March 2008

Objective To compare different methods for assessing the compliance of veterinary clients administering medication to their dogs. Procedure Thirty‐one owners whose dogs were prescribed amoxycillin‐clavulanate, twice and thrice daily, for a duration of five to seven days were recruited from three Sydney veterinary hospitals. Compliance was assessed by electronic monitoring devices, return medication counts, client self‐reports and veterinarians' estimation of likely compliance. Results Electronic monitoring showed owners administered on average 84% (range 7 to 104%) of prescribed medication to their dogs. Both return medication counts and client self‐reports tended to overestimate therapeutic compliance when compared with electronic monitoring. When questioned, the majority of owners (71%) claimed perfect compliance with the prescribed regimen. No correlation was found between veterinarians' estimates of owner compliance and that assessed electronically. Conclusion Electronic monitoring provided valuable information on dose timing and variation, but proved costly and difficult to employ in veterinary practice. Simplicity and low cost of return medication counts makes this method attractive for use in veterinary compliance studies. Client self‐reports reliably detected some noncompliers and permitted identification of individual problems or errors. For practical purposes a combination of return medication counts and client self‐reports may have merit in future veterinary compliance studies.
Black soil blindness: A new mycotoxicosis of cattle grazing Corallocytostroma‐infected Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp)
Authors: JUBB TF , MAIN DC , MITCHELL AA , SHIVAS RG , DE WITTE KW 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA new, fatal mycotoxicosis of cattle has been recognised in north‐western Australia. A feeding trial confirmed the toxicity of a previously unknown species of Corallocytostroma that grows on Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp). The disease has been colloquially named ‘black soil blindness’ because its most prominent features are its confinement to pastures on black soil, and blindness and death of affected animals. Over 500 cattle have died and considerable subclinical disease is present. Above average wet season rainfall and extended growing seasons may explain the emergence of the fungus. The disease is important because cattle production in large areas of Australia utilise Mitchell grass pastures.
Use of enzyme‐linked immunoassays for antibody to types C and D botulinum toxins for investigations of botulism in cattle
Authors: GREGORY AR , ELLIS TM , JUBB TF , NICKELS RJ , COUSINS DV 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe development of specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for antibody to types C and D Clostridium botulinum toxins for investigation of botulism in cattle is described. Partially purified type C and D toxins were used as antigens to develop these ELISAs. Specificity of the ELISAs was evaluated on sera from 333 adult beef and dairy cattle from areas with no history or evidence of botulism in animals or water birds. The test was also evaluated on sera from 41 herds that included herds vaccinated against botulism, confirmed botulism cases and herds from areas where the disease is considered endemic. The ELISAs detected the presence of antibody to botulinum toxins in samples from vaccinated cattle and both convalescent and clinically normal animals from unvaccinated herds with outbreaks of botulism. Antibody was also found in unvaccinated animals from herds in which there had been no diagnosed botulism cases in areas where botulism was considered endemic. Sera from some unvaccinated cattle with high ELISA reactivity was shown to be protective for mice in botulinum toxin neutralisation tests. The use of these tests in investigations of botulism in cattle is discussed.
Equine neonatal septicaemia: 24 cases
Authors: RAISIS AL , HODGSON JL , HODGSON DR 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYEquine neonatal septicaemia was confirmed in 24 foals hospitalised at the Rural Veterinary Centre between 1989 and 1992 with suspected septicaemia. Septicaemia was confirmed by culture of bacteria from blood of live foals and tissues obtained at necropsy of foals that died or were euthanased. Pathogenic bacteria isolated were predominantly Enterobacteriaceae (including Escherichia coli and Salmonella serovars) and Actinobacillus equuli. Clinical manifestations of septicaemia included signs of depression, dehydration, abnormalities in body temperature and manifestations of localised infection including diarrhoea, pneumonia, and septic arthritis. Most common haemato‐logical abnormalities were neutropenia and increase of circulating band neutrophils. Survival rate of foals with confirmed septicaemia was 70.8%. Survival was found to be less likely in the presence of pneumonia, severe signs of depression, marked haematological changes or septic arthritis at the time of admission. Seven foals were confirmed to have septic arthritis without concurrent septicaemia. Of these, 4 had multiple joint involvement. Bacteria isolated from infected joints were predominantly Salmonella serovars. Four foals with septic arthritis failed to survive, due to multiple joint infection, which was unresponsive to treatment. The clinical and haematological abnormalities present in foals with confirmed septicaemia and septic arthritis were consistent with those observed in other studies. The bacterial isolates from foals with confirmed septicaemia were similar to those isolated in other studies. In contrast, the bacteria isolated from foals with septic arthritis without concurrent septicaemia were different from other studies.