Outbreak of primary pregnancy toxemia in fat tailed ewes due to ultrasonographic misdiagnosis of pregnancy

Four fat-tailed ewes from an indoor flock [n=40] were examined for recumbency and depressive nervous signs. They were from a seemingly nonpregnant group of the flock that had been diagnosed by transabdominal ultrasonography. The ration consisted of mainly wheat straw since their separation from the pregnant group. Detection of pregnancy on abdominal palpation along with depressive nervous signs and laboratory findings of hypoglycemia, ketonuria with severe fatty liver at necropsy followed by relevant histopathological findings confirmed an outbreak of primary pregnancy toxemia. While ultrasonographic pregnancy diagnosis is known as an accurate method, its accuracy could be strongly influenced by technical inexperience and improper implementation of the method. Indecent execution of the technique was considered the key predisposing factor for current outbreak

Gastrointestinal infection with Brachyspira spp in a filly with chronic diarrhea: a case report

An eleven month old filly was referred to the Research and Teaching Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tehran. The animal presented a three-week history of diarrhea and previous treatments had failed to effect a recovery. Based on the history, clinical findings and results of laboratory investigations, it was assumed that a gastrointestinal disorder was affecting the filly. After the exclusion of other possible etiologies, Brachyspira spp. became the most likely causative agent. Despite supportive therapy in hospital, the clinical condition of the filly deteriorated over the course of eleven days and the animal died of inanition and consequent multiple organ dysfunctions. Subsequent pathological investigation confirmed a Brachyspira spp. infection of the gastrointestinal tract. This report is believed to be the first equine case of Brachyspira-associated gastroenteritis