An outbreak of Johne's disease in a herd of farmed red deer was studied for four years. Serological, histopathological and cultural techniques were used to monitor the progress of the disease, and delayed type hypersensitivity skin tests were also applied. The results of the serological tests showed that they were poor predictors of future clinical cases and did not consistently identify animals harbouring mycobacteria. The histopathological methods provided a sensitive and specific means of confirming the infection. The skin tests had a low sensitivity and the results were poorly correlated with the serological results in seropositive animals. A vaccination policy was instituted which was accompanied by a change in the pattern of disease. Although the histopathological evidence suggested that the infection was still occurring, there was a marked reduction in the incidence of clinical disease. Vaccinated animals showed a good response to the skin test.

Molecular techniques have demonstrated that cats may harbour feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) provirus in the absence of antigenaemia. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), p27 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), anti-feline oncornavirus-associated cell-membrane-antigen (FOCMA) antibody testing and virus isolation (VI) we investigated three groups of cats. Among cats with cytopenias or lymphoma, 2/75 were transiently positive for provirus and anti-FOCMA antibodies were the only evidence of exposure in another. In 169 young, healthy cats, all tests were negative. In contrast, 3/4 cats from a closed household where FeLV was confirmed by isolation, had evidence of infection. Our results support a role for factors other than FeLV in the pathogenesis of cytopenias and lymphoma. There was no evidence of exposure in young cats. In regions of low prevalence, where the positive predictive value of antigen testing is low, qPCR may assist with diagnosis.

Generalised tetanus in the canine patient, well described in numerous case reports, is a life-threatening disorder. The causative organism, Clostridium tetani, produces a potent neurotoxin that causes dramatic clinical signs, including spastic paralysis. The prognosis for patients receiving treatment is good but, as recovery is prolonged, many dogs are euthanased because of estimated costs of hospitalisation. This article discusses the diagnosis and treatment of generalised tetanus in the dog and the potential complications.

A shelter cat with recent fight wounds tested negative for FIV on an in‐house test; however, it was still suspected the cat was FIV‐positive and it was held for retesting. Six weeks later it tested FIV‐positive and was euthanased. Subsequently, it was determined that the cat had previously received a single FIV vaccination during its stay in the shelter. As it is impossible, on the basis of serology, to distinguish between antibodies resulting from natural infection versus those that are vaccination‐associated, the result may have been a false positive. What factors should be considered in determining whether to euthanase a FIV‐positive cat?