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WA Livestock Disease Outlook - April 2013 - Agric.wa.gov.au

WA Livestock Disease Outlook - April 2013 - Agric.wa.gov.au

WA Livestock Disease Outlook - April 2013 - Agric.wa.gov.au

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In late <strong>au</strong>tumn be on the lookout for...<br />

<strong>Disease</strong><br />

Pregnancy toxaemia in<br />

ewes<br />

Hypocalcaemia<br />

in ewes<br />

Salmonellosis<br />

Calf scours<br />

Usually affects late-pregnant ewes.<br />

Typical history and signs<br />

Affected ewes typically separate from the flock and appear blind.<br />

Over a few days they lie down, develop muscle twitching and die.<br />

Read more here or search ‘pregnancy toxaemia’ at agric.<strong>wa</strong>.<strong>gov</strong>.<strong>au</strong><br />

Usually affects ewes in late pregnancy or early lactation, often after stressful<br />

events.<br />

May be seen in sheep grazing cereal regrowth or high oxalate pastures.<br />

Typically c<strong>au</strong>ses sudden onset uncoordinated gait with muscle tremors and<br />

death within 24 hours.<br />

Read more here or search ‘hypocalcaemia’ at agric.<strong>wa</strong>.<strong>gov</strong>.<strong>au</strong><br />

Most common in intensively farmed livestock.<br />

C<strong>au</strong>ses profuse diarrhoea. Sheep may be found dead and pregnant ewes may<br />

abort.<br />

Stress and high stocking density are common precursors to an outbreak.<br />

Read more here or search ‘salmonellosis’ at agric.<strong>wa</strong>.<strong>gov</strong>.<strong>au</strong><br />

Typically affects young calves in late <strong>au</strong>tumn and early winter.<br />

Commonly c<strong>au</strong>sed by viruses (e.g. rotavirus), protozoa (e.g. cryptosporidium)<br />

or bacteria (e.g. salmonella or E. coli).<br />

Calves can quickly dehydrate so it is important to provide supportive care.<br />

Read more here or search ‘calf scours’ at agric.<strong>wa</strong>.<strong>gov</strong>.<strong>au</strong><br />

For more information about these diseases, contact your private veterinarian or local Department of<br />

<strong>Agric</strong>ulture and Food (DAF<strong>WA</strong>) veterinary officer.<br />

If you notice any unusual signs of disease in your stock or have unexpected stock deaths, contact your<br />

private veterinarian, local DAF<strong>WA</strong> veterinary officer or phone the Emergency Animal <strong>Disease</strong> hotline on<br />

1800 675 888.<br />

Would you recognise foot-and-mouth disease in your cattle?<br />

Australia has not had an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) for over 100 years, but it is<br />

important we do not become complacent. Farmers and all other people who work with livestock need to<br />

know what FMD looks like and report any suspect animals immediately.<br />

Signs of FMD in cattle include:<br />

severe depression, lack of appetite<br />

a sudden drop in milk yield<br />

sudden death in young calves<br />

reluctance to move progressing to severe lameness<br />

copious drooling and lip smacking<br />

blisters may be visible in the mouth and on the lips and around the top of the foot but are often not<br />

obvious until they rupture.<br />

If you suspect FMD, immediately contact your veterinarian, local DAF<strong>WA</strong> veterinary officer or phone<br />

the Emergency Animal <strong>Disease</strong> hotline on 1800 675 888. The faster the disease is detected, the faster<br />

it can be eradicated and the lower the social and economic impact of the disease.<br />

For more information on FMD click here or search ‘FMD’ at agric.<strong>wa</strong>.<strong>gov</strong>.<strong>au</strong><br />

DAF<strong>WA</strong> welcomes your feedback on <strong>WA</strong>LDO. Please provide comments to katie.webb@agric.<strong>wa</strong>.<strong>gov</strong>.<strong>au</strong>.<br />

Disclaimer: The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of <strong>Agric</strong>ulture and Food and the State of Western<br />

Australia accept no responsibility whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or<br />

release of this information or any part of it.

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