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WA Livestock Disease Outlook - for producers

WA Livestock Disease Outlook - for producers

Suspected oesophageal weakness or possible plant toxicity in mixed age Merinos

  • Similar clinical signs and deaths have been occurring in sheep on a South West Coast farm annually.
  • Cases begin with swelling of the abdomen and a hunched appearance which progress over 2–3 weeks to staining around the mouth, animals lying down and dying.
  • The sheep all graze arum lily, which appears to precede the swelling of the abdomen.
  • Previous cases have led to the suspicion of muscular weakness of the oesophagus with subsequent reflux and inhalation into the lungs, leading to severe pneumonia.
  • Producers who see similar signs should contact their local veterinarian or DAFWA field veterinarian.

Pages

In this issue

  1. Why DAFWA carries out surveillance for livestock disease
  2. Recent significant cases submitted to the Animal Health Laboratories (AHL)
  3. Respiratory signs and sudden death in lambs
  4. Weakness and deaths in Merino weaners
  5. Sudden death in two-year-old cows
  6. Suspected oesophageal weakness or possible plant toxicity in mixed age Merinos
  7. In late autumn, be on the lookout for:
    1. Pregnancy toxaemia or ketosis
    2. Hypocalcaemia in ewes
    3. Calf scours
    4. Crownbeard toxicity in sheep
  8. Royalties for Regions surveillance information: new pilot program to boost disease surveillance
  9. Previous issues
  10. Feedback
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See Also

Reportable animal diseases
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