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The article describes an outbreak of massive acute cysticercosis in lambs that were sick for at least several days. Topics discussed include a farmer's complaint that 2 lambs died after an illness that lasted for 2 days, the presence of lesions from C. tenuicolis migration in liver and the lungs and findings of severe hepatitis cysticercosa in a 4 month lamb that died from acute cysticercosis and a diagnosis of acute cysticercosis in various other animal species than lambs and goat kids.

Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) represents one of the most important metabolic subclinical disorders of high producing dairy cows, having serious impact in both animal health and herd profitability. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of SARA in Greek dairy herds and record its prevalence and risk factors. Ruminal fluid samples, via rumenocentesis, were obtained from a total of 153 Holstein dairy cows, from 12 herds (⩾12 cows per herd). Rumen pH was measured on-site with a portable pH-meter in order to establish a SARA diagnosis. Almost sixteen percent (24/153) of the sampled cows were found with rumen pH ⩽5.5, which is indicative of SARA. Thirty three percent (4/12) of the herds were SARA-positive, 8.33% (1/12) of the herds were SARA-marginal, and 58.33% (7/12) were SARA-negative. Number of lactating cow groups, order in which the feeds were added into the mixing wagon, particle length size, ration composition, housing type (free stall or bedded pack) and stocking density significantly influenced the presence of SARA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the manifestation of cervical hyper-extension in a lamb with nutritional myo-degenerescence secondary to vitamin E deficiency. For the study, researchers examined a female 25-day old lamb which originated from a dairy sheep flock of 200 Lacaune sheep. Key findings were compatible with white muscle disease (WMD), with exception to cervical hyper-extension that could be diagnosed with opistotonus caused by central nervous system (CNS) disease or intoxication. They also found that cervical hyper-extension can be considered a clinical symptom of the WMD in lambs.

Total protein concentration and protein fractions of synovia and blood serum in cattle with normal joints and in cattle with aseptic or infected arthritis The results obtained by a comparative investigation into the total protein concentration and protein fraction distribution in blood serum and synovia of 47 and 72 animals with healthy or with diseased articulations, respectively, showed that the determination of the content and fractional distribution of blood serum proteins is of little diagnostic value in bovine arthritis. Zusammenfassung Bei einer vergleichenden Untersuchung des Gesamteiweißgehaltes und der Proteinverteilung in Blutserum und Synovia von 47 gelenksgesunden und 72 gelenkskranken Rindern wurde festgestellt, daß der Eiweißbestimmung und -differenzierung im Blutserum für die Diagnostik von Gelenksentzündungen nur eine geringe Aussagekraft zukommt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zusammenfassung Die Aktivität der alkalischen Phosphatase (AP) wurde in Blutserum und Gelenksflüssigkeit von insgesamt 107 Rindern (DSB, 41 Kontrollen, 27 mit aseptischen Gelenksentzündungen, 39 mit septischen Arthritiden) gemessen und auf ihre diagnostische und prognostische Brauchbarkeit hin überprüft. Folgendes konnte festgestellt werden: Die Aktivität der AP im Serum von gesunden jungen Rindern ist höher (p < 0,001) als bei älteren Tieren (135 U/l bzw. 52 U/l). Ähnliches gilt für die Gelenksflüssigkeit., Infizierte Gelenksentzündungen gehen mit einer deutlichen Aktivitätssteigerung der AP in der Synovia einher (junge Tiere: von 271 auf 629 U/l, p < 0,01; alte Tiere: von 61 auf 717 U/l, p < 0,001). Aseptische Entzündungen blieben ohne diese synoviale Reaktion., Die Überprüfung der AP-Aktivität ist weder im Blutserum noch in der Synovia eine prognostische Hilfe., Summary Studies on the activity of alkaline phosphatase in serum and synovia of healthy joints and joints with infected and non-infected inflammation in cattle Alkaline phosphatase activity (AP) was determined in blood serum and joint fluid of a total of 107 cattle (German black and white; 41 controls; 27 with aseptic joint inflammation; 39 with septic arthrotis). The diagnostic and prognostic value of the determination was examined. AP activity in serum of healthy young cattle is higher (p < 0.01) than in older animals (135 units/l compared with 52 units/l). The same applies to the joint fluid., Infected arthritis show a markedly higher activity in synovial fluid (young animals 271 u/l to 629 u/l, p < 0.01; older animals from 61 to 717 u/l, p < 0.001). Aseptic arthritis cases showed no similar increase., Measurement of AP activity is of no prognostic value in either serum or synovial fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to investigate the possible influence of dietary protein supplementation and anthelmintic administration, in different schemes, for the control of gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes of dairy ewes under field conditions. Towards this end, 40 clinically healthy ewes of a local Greek dairy breed, grazing on infected irrigated pasture, were divided into 5 groups and treated as follows: Group (1S) supplemented with 300 g soybean meal 48%, twice per year (July and periparturiently), Group (2Alb) received albendazole twice as (Group 1S), Group (3S-Alb) supplemented with soybean as in (Group 1S) combined with the use of albendazole (as in Group 2Alb), Group (4Alb3) received albendazole three times (September, periparturiently and April) and Group (5C) (control group). Faecal samples were taken from each animal monthly for nematode egg count (FEC) and blood samples every two months for haematological and biochemical analysis. The results showed that the administration of albendazole twice reduced effectively the nematode FEC, whereas the extra protein supplementation did not significantly influence it. Haematocrit and total proteins were unaffected although they tended to be lower in the control Group (5C). Pepsinogen, calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium were not influenced by the treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, transmitted by Ixodes ticks, is an intracellular pathogen of zoonotic interest. Regarding animals of veterinary importance, infection by this agent has been linked mainly to high fever, neutropenia, reduced milk production, but hemorrhagic diathesis, abortion and impaired spermatogenesis have also sporadically been reported. In Greece, A. phagocytophilum has been detected in dogs, ticks and humans, while so far only A. ovis had been detected in farm animals. Following the occurrence of multiple abortions in two goat farms in Northern Greece, samples were collected from aborted animals. Stomach contents and placental tissue from aborted animals tested positive for A. phagocytophilum by molecular assays and negative for other infectious and parasitic agents. Treatment with oxytetracycline LA stopped the abortions. In tick risk areas clinicians should consider A. phagocytophilum as a cause of abortion in goats.