Paresis and paralysis are uncommon problems in sheep but are likely to prompt farmers to seek veterinary advice. A thorough and logical approach can aid in determining the cause of the problem and highlighting the benefit of veterinary involvement. While this may not necessarily alter the prognosis for an individual animal, it can help in formulating preventive measures and avoid the costs – both in economic and in welfare terms – of misdirected treatment. Distinguishing between central and peripheral lesions is most important, as the relative prognoses are markedly different, and this can often be achieved with minimal equipment. This article describes an approach to performing a neurological examination of the ovine trunk and limbs, the ancillary tests available and the common and important causes of paresis and paralysis in sheep.

This review describes the current, emerging and potential applications of ultrasonography in the field of firstopinion sheep veterinary practice. The most widespread application is pregnancy diagnosis, where both transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonography offer a highly sensitive tool for, among others, detection of pregnancy, identification of foetal number and diagnosis of uterine abnormalities, e.g., metritis. The diagnostic applications of ultrasonography for imaging the lungs, heart, male genitourinary system and superficial swellings are also described. Through review of recent research in sheep and by analogy from applications in other animal species, the potential role of ultrasonography in screening programmes for cystic echinococcosis or ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma, diagnosis of ocular and laryngeal disease and localisation of Coenurus cysts is explored.

Triclabendazole is the only flukicide currently available which is effective against young immature liver fluke. As such, it has become an integral part of many farms' control strategies for fasciolosis. Triclabendazole-resistant liver fluke were first reported in Australia in 1995 and are now found around the world, including in the UK. This development necessitates a change in the approach to liver fluke control on many farms if morbidity, mortality and lost production are to be avoided. This article discusses the issues raised by triclabendazole resistance and considers some of the possible strategies to prevent its import onto farms where it is not already present and how to prevent losses owing to fasciolosis when triclabendazole is no longer effective.

The incidence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Albania is higher than in other countries of southern Europe, however the role of local sand fly species in the transmission of Leishmania infantum was not addressed conclusively. In 2006, a country-wide collection of sand flies performed in 14 sites selected based on recent occurrence of VL cases showed that Phlebotomus neglectus was by far the most prevalent species (95.6%). Furthermore, 15% of pools made from 422 P. neglectus females tested positive for Leishmania sp. genomic DNA. In the same year, Culicoides trapping was performed for bluetongue disease surveillance in 91 sites of southern Albania, targeting livestock farms regardless recent occurrence of VL in the surveyed areas. In 35 sites where sand flies were collected along with midges, Phlebotomus perfiliewi was the most prevalent among the Phlebotomus species identified, however search for leishmanial DNA in females of this species was unsuccessful. In 2011, sand flies were trapped in 4 sites of north Albania characterized by high VL incidence, and females were dissected to search for Leishmania infections. Both P. neglectus and P. tobbi were collected at high densities. Two positive specimens were detected from a sample of 64 P. neglectus trapped in one site (3.1%). Parasites were successfully cultured from one specimen and characterized as belonging to Leishmania infantum zymodeme MON-1, the only zymodeme so far identified as the agent of human and canine leishmaniasis in the country. Altogether our studies indicate that P. neglectus is the main leishmaniasis vector in Albania.

This article aims to review the current literature base, and share findings of clinical experience from British and Norwegian first opinion and referral work in ovine Caesarean sections. It is not intended to replace existing excellent medicine and surgery texts describing Caesarean surgery (such as Scott, 2015 or Hendriksen and Baird 2013) but to supplement these with additional information and to provide an updated review. We hope this article is particularly useful for those approaching their first Caesarean section in practice, and may stimulate further interest in capturing and sharing data held in first opinion practice. Part one looks at case selection, analgesia and surgery, while part two will look at the postoperative period, and will also highlight the value of undertaking clinical audits of ovine medicines use and surgical procedures.