WA Livestock Disease Outlook - for vets - August 2015

In late spring, be on the lookout for:


Disease	Typical history and signs	Key diagnostic samples
Pulpy kidney in lambs (enterotoxaemia) Read more on pulpy kidney.	Sudden death occurs in rapidly growing unweaned or weaned lambs on lush pasture or grain. Lambs are in good condition and can be found dead or die quickly with convulsions. Animals are usually unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated.	Post-mortem: Collect 5mL of lower small and/or large intestinal content into a labelled plastic container for an ELISA test/smear. Store and transport at 4°C or frozen. A basic sample set.
Cobalt/vitamin B12 deficiency Read more on cobalt and vitamin B12 deficiencies.	Occurs in areas receiving more than 450mm rainfall and more common with sandy soil types. Ovine white liver disease (cobalt deficiency) has occurred in WA in sheep grazing lush pasture. Typically causes ill-thrift and wasting in growing sheep and cattle and weeping eyes and scaly ears.	Live animals: 10mL of blood in lithium heparin tube (green/orange cap). Ideally 10 animals sampled. Post-mortem: 100g fresh liver, fixed liver.
Barber’s pole worm in sheep Read more on barber’s pole worm.	Usually seen in late spring/early summer in coastal areas of WA agricultural regions or earlier if weather is warm and moist. Weaners with inadequate immunity commonly affected at this time of year. Signs include sudden death, anaemia, weakness and ‘bottle-jaw’.	Faecal sample: 20g faeces per sheep for worm egg count and larval differentiation. Post-mortem: Identify worms in abomasum and collect faecal sample.

Note: Also include base samples and any clinical or gross lesions in submissions. For advice on sample submission, consult the AHL Service Manual or phone your local DAFWA veterinarian, or the duty pathologist on +61 (0)8 9368 3351.

Steps required to meet animal health export certification requirements

The livestock health surveillance undertaken by producers, veterinarians, stock agents and exporters is vital for continued market access for live animal exports. It is important that producers and veterinarians are aware of importing country requirements and their livestock health status before selling for export.

A key component of the live animal export process is the health certification that demonstrates to the importing country the eligibility of livestock for their market. To enable the federal Department of Agriculture (DoA) to issue this certification, DAFWA issues property of origin animal health declarations for reportable diseases.

Importing countries and the DoA may have documentation requirements for other diseases which are not reportable, such as leptospirosis. As these are not included in the DAFWA property of origin statement, the DoA may require a producer vendor declaration in order to issue export health certification. The producer vendor declaration is a legal document and must be completed accurately. More information on exporting livestock can be found at the DoA Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR). Note that veterinarians will need to apply for a login to access to this register.

Previous issues

Previous issues of WALDO - for vets and WALDO - for producers are available on the DAFWA website on the newsletter archive page or by searching 'WA livestock disease outlook'.

Feedback

To provide feedback, email Dr Bruce Twentyman on bruce.twentyman@agric.wa.gov.au.

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WA Livestock Disease Outlook - for vets

In late spring, be on the lookout for:

Pulpy kidney in lambs (enterotoxaemia)

Cobalt/vitamin B12 deficiency

Barber’s pole worm in sheep

Steps required to meet animal health export certification requirements

Previous issues

Feedback

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