Mortality in lambs due to enterotoxaemia associated with heavy infestations of Moniezia expansa

Authors: Thomas PL, Downey NE, Dreadon RS
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 4, Issue 4, pp 161-165, Dec 1956
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Abdomen, Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Bacterial, Cestode, Parasites - internal, Disease/defect, Mortality/morbidity
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract:

Extract: Throughout the Hawke's Bay area of the North Island of New Zealand Moniezia expansa, the common tapeworm of sheep, was extremely abundant in lambs at the end of 1955, following a milder and damper winter and earlier spring than is usual. The numbers of tapeworms were such that workers in the meat-freezing works remarked that they had never before seen so many. Examinations of pasture samples from properties where the lambs were severely infested revealed numbers of the oribatid mites, which are the intermediate hosts of Moniezia, far in excess of the numbers usually encountered. Paddocks at the Wallaceville Animal Research Station, from which pasture samples are examined each week throughout the year, were taken as standard.

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