Blood samples from 433 periparturient recumbent cows submitted by veterinary practitioners to Ruakura Animal Health Laboratory during 1983 and 1984 were analysed and results related to whether cows recovered, died or were euthanased. Generally cows were sampled only once and the time varied from 15 minutes to 20 days after becoming recumbent. During 1983 serum calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, creatine phosphokinase (CK), aspartate amino transferase (AST), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were analysed. In 1984 serum urea, creatinine, fibrinogen and haematological examination (haemoglobin, haematocrit, total and differential white cell counts) were added to the panel. Overall 39% of cows recovered, 30% died and 32% were destroyed. Precalving cows had 111% more deaths and 7% less survivors than postcalving recumbent cows (P<0.1). There was little difference (3%) in euthanasia prevalence. Tests that were most useful in predicting a lack of recovery were serum urea and muscle enzymes. Using these tests and duration of recumbency when sampled a model was produced to predict the probability of recovery from 254 cases.

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An outbreak of hepatogenous photosensitisation occurred in fallow deer and was diagnosed as facial eczema on the basis of liver lesions and plasma enzyme changes over 56 weeks. Clinical signs of photosensitisation were not as obvious as they are in sheep and cattle. The condition occurred over autumn and in the following spring. Six of 23 deer died or were destroyed. Concentrations of plasma total bilirubin, total bile acids and cholesterol increased, as well as the activities of aspartate transaminase, glutamic dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyltransferase. Albumin:globulin ratios declined due to moderate increases in globulin and minor reductions in albumin. Many of the plasma enzyme activities did not return to normal after autumn and increased to even higher values during the spring outbreak of photosensitisation. Minor plasma biochemical changes were also detected in non-photosensitive deer in the same herd.