Implications of BSE policy for livestock production and veterinary services in the United KingdomBennett, R. M.; Hallam, D.
doi: 10.1136/vr.142.7.155pmid: 9519427
The likely impacts of BSE policy on UK milk and beef markets and on livestock numbers between 1997 and 2000 are explored using a dynamic spreadsheet model of UK milk and beef production, and linked demand, price and supply models for alternative meats. Two accelerated slaughter policies are considered ‐ one representing the ‘Florence Agreement’ and the other involving an additional culling of calves born to confirmed BSE cases. The projections show significant changes to livestock populations over the next few years with implications for veterinary inputs. It is estimated that the BSE crisis will result in a fail in expenditure on veterinary medicines and services of around £10 million in 1999 (for the Florence Agreement) compared with that projected in the absence of the BSE crisis.
Femoral neck metaphyseal osteopathy in the catQueen, J.; Bennett, D.; Carmichael, S.; Gibson, N.; Li, A.; Payne‐Johnson, C. E.; Kelly, D. F.
doi: 10.1136/vr.142.7.159pmid: 9519428
This paper describes 17 cats that developed an idiopathic necrosis of the femoral neck. In four cats the lesions were bilateral when they were first examined and five cats developed lesions in the other limb within five months. They were all male cats, two years old or younger, and 15 had been neutered. The initial sign was a vague lameness which typically progressed, often acutely, to a more severe lameness. Radiography demonstrated radiolucency and loss of definition within the proximal femoral metaphysis, the femoral neck. In 12 cases there was a complete radiolucent line across the femoral neck. An excision arthroplasty was carried out on all the affected hips and the lameness resolved in all cases. The clinical and radiological signs suggest a primary bone resorption with secondary fracture of the femoral neck. The lesions have some similarities with Legg‐Calve‐Perthes' disease, traumatic fracture of the femoral neck, canine metaphyseal osteopathy, bacterial osteomyelitis and experimental feline herpes virus osteomyelitis.
South American camelids in the United Kingdom: population statistics, mortality rates and causes of deathDavis, R.; Keeble, E.; Wright, A.; Morgan, K. L.
doi: 10.1136/vr.142.7.162pmid: 9519429
A survey of the health of South American camelids in the United Kingdom was carried out between December 1992 and June 1993; 123 members of the British Camelid Owners and Breeders Association and 19 non‐members were sent questionnaires and usable responses were received from 84 (59 per cent). In total 689 camelids were included, and in 1992, 66 per cent were llama, 21 per cent alpaca and 13 per cent guanaco. Their ages ranged from less than six months to over 10 years, with animals aged two to five years constituting the largest proportion. The mortality rates between 1990 and 1992 were 2.7 to 3.3 per cent for llama, 3.5 to 6.9 per cent for alpaca and 0 to 11.4 per cent for guanaco. The highest mortality was in animals less than six months and more than 10 years old; 4 to 11 per cent of llama deaths and 17 to 33 per cent of alpaca deaths were in animals aged less than six months and a high proportion of these occurred during the first week of life. In the cases for which a cause was reported, accidents and injury accounted for 20 per cent of llama deaths, and perinatal deaths accounted for 22 per cent of alpaca deaths. A third of the deaths were reported as being of unknown cause, and a veterinary diagnosis was reported in less than half of the cases. These data suggest that attention to the environment and housing conditions of llama, the neonatal care of alpaca and improvements in diagnosis are priorities for reducing the mortality and improving the health of South American camelids in the UK.