Bovine trichomoniasis in the north western Cape Province, western Transvaal and the Orange Free State.

In bulls (n = 2,437) examined by preputial sheath washes, 7.1% were found to be positive for trichomoniasis. The incidence varied from one area to the other, as well as between breeds.

Valsiekte (falling disease): a nervous disorder in lambs suspected of being caused by the plant Chrysocoma tenuifolia.

A description is given of the clinical signs and pathological changes in 23 field cases of valsiekte from the Bethulie region of the Orange Free State, Republic of South Africa. The disease, which occurred almost exclusively in 2-4 month-old Dorper or Dorper cross-bred lambs, was characterized by protracted ataxia, paresis and high mortality. Microscopical changes were consistently found in the neurons and white matter along the entire length of the spinal cord, and rarely in the medulla oblongata. These changes included vacuolation and degeneration of neurons, mainly of the lateral and ventral horns in the spinal cord, and a status spongiosus which was most noticeable in the lateral and ventral tracts of the spinal cord. All affected lambs had access to the plant, Chrysocoma tenuifolia (bitterbos), but trials to reproduce the condition by dosing the plant, were not successful.

Suspected facial eczema in sheep in the central Orange Free State.

Facial eczema is known to occur in the Humansdorp district of the Cape Province. During June 1982-January 1984, 5 outbreaks of hepatogenous photosensitivity occurred in sheep in central districts of the Orange Free State. In one of these outbreaks a diagnosis of suspected facial eczema was made histologically.

Epididymitis of rams in the central and southern districts of the Orange Free State.

Scrotal palpation, microscopical examination of semen smears and the application of bacteriological techniques, revealed the incidence of Actinobacillus seminis and Brucella ovis infection of rams in the central and southern districts of the Orange Free State to be 2,9% and 4,3%, respectively. More Dorper than Merino rams were affected. Although clinically detectable epididymitis was found in 5,9% of rams examined, infection with A. seminis and B. ovis, as measured by the presence of neutrophils in semen and positive semen cultures, could only be demonstrated in a small minority of affected cases. These organisms were found more regularly in clinically negative rams excreting neutrophils in their semen. Possible reasons for the high incidence of sheep brucellosis in rams in the particular area as well as the higher incidence of infection in Dorper rams are discussed.