Regeneration Of Livers In Facial Eczema Cases

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18763, 20 July 1935, Page 13

Regeneration Of Livers In Facial Eczema Cases

COME of the livers of sheep which ° have been affected with facial eczema have shown signs of regeneration. This information, lhnde available by Mr P. Haugh, veterinary supervisor at Gisborne, suggests that winter mortality from the disease might not be so great as was expected at one period. Mortality at the beginning of the winter thrCiitened to be horivy on some properties, but few reports hate been received recently. The Live Stock Division has bad the eo-operatiori of a number of leading farmers in the district, in reviewing the after-effects of the disease. A Hoc ted sheep have been marked and their winter history reported upon-. Also, livers of sheep killed for the purpose have been sent to Dr C. S. M. Hopkirk, who is in charge of the veterinary laboratory at Wnllricevillo, and 1 the most recent report received from the laboratory is that regeneration lias been noticed hi some of the livers of facial eczema sheep.

Mr Haugh stated that a number of sheep were still lightly affected with the disease, ns a result of the e.oniiriuod wet weather, but few further deatiis had been reported from after; effects during the past few weeks. Gerierhlty speaking,-,bet itddtitly -tho health of the stock in tho district was good, considering the conditions. Ante partnm paralysis was already making its appearance among roine of the breeding ewes, aud several cases were discovered on one property. All of these were ewes in extra good condition, due to lamb within about a fortnight. Exercise and putting on a bare diet had' been advised, for all of the ewes affected were too fat. Hawke’s Bay has not experienced much trouble generally in lambing this season, except in certain localities. On one farm, deaths have reached 13 in three days, and the cause of death has yet to be ascertained. Intestinal organs have been forwarded to the Wallaceville laboratory for examination, for a veterinary surgeor. could not diagnose the cause of death. • Breeding ewes are wintering well on the Coast, and the absence of excessive cold has helped the flocks. Lambing has commenced. At Toknmnru Bay, the first lambs of the season were reported from Mr A. Shepherd’s Mahi station on July 7.