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The article discusses five case studies about lead intoxication in birds and cattle happened since 2008 relative to lead shot from clay pigeon shooting. It says that the Great Britain Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has investigated food safety incidents for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) since 2001. It describes the five cases of lead poisoning in animals which include in 2000 free range laying hens, 400 adult and immature laying ducks, and three store cattle.

This case report describes an outbreak of Mycobacterium bovis infection a Lleyn sheep flock associated with clinical signs of illthrift. There was no known direct contact with tuberculous cattle although bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is endemic in the area. The spoligotype isolated from the diseased sheep was the local spoligotype. The repeated use of the comparative intradermal tuberculin test, and the subsequent removal of reactor animals, resulted in apparent elimination of bTB from the flock. Lesions caused by M bovis in sheep may contain very few acid-fast bacilli, and gross lesions may resemble those found in cases of Caseous Lymphadenitis. Routine meat inspection may, therefore, not always easily detect this notifiable disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which focuses on the first detection and identification of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, Mycoplasma wenyonii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum from cattle in England. The study was conducted to three farms in England, in which the 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method was used to test the cattle. The study shows that PCR/DGGE method can be used to identify bloodborne infections in cattle.

The article describes two outbreaks of skin lesions resembling strawberry footrot in two flocks of sheep. Details are provided about the lesions' characteristics including their location, initial presentation as a crusty swelling, proneness to bleeding, and sensitivity to the touch. Organisms that cause strawberry footrot were not detected in the sheep. A primary or secondary Gram-positive bacterial infection is suspected in consideration of the sheep's response to systemic tilmicosin.

The article focuses on an investigation regarding the reported seven outbreaks of suspected botulism in sheep in Great Britain. It covers the reported outbreaks of botulism in England and Wales for the period of 1999 and 2006, which occurred after two days of exposure to poultry litter. Moreover, the article presents a chart that depicts figures mortality and morbidity, clinical signs and symptoms observed, and association with poultry litter.

The article discusses the activities initiated by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) in London, England in the week ending November 14, 2009. The Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law Veterinary Association has held a meeting about the impact of policy changes on animal welfare. The BVA officers have participated in a coordination and planning meeting. Trustees of the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation has hosted a third meeting of the Dog Breeding Stakeholder Group.