There are currently no diagnostic tests that accurately quantify functional laxity of the hip, and which would enable early identification and exclusion from breeding of dogs with hip dysplasia. This study investigated the Ortolani sign, hip reduction angle and hip distraction index at 4 months of age in 11 Labrador Retrievers from two litters, as predictors of hip osteoarthritis at 12 months of age. The hip reduction angle at 4 months, while repeatable, was unreliable at predicting osteoarthritis at 12 months. All hips that had a negative Ortolani sign at 4 months were negative for osteoarthritis at 12 months, and the distraction index at 4 months showed a fair correlation with the development of osteoarthritis at 12 months. The hip reduction angle, measured during the Ortolani manoeuvre, did not further quantify it as a predictor of osteoarthritis. The study was limited by the use of radiography to assess the presence of osteoarthritis, as this can be an insensitive method. Passive hip range of motion may provide an objective means of assessing the response to treatment of hind limb injuries or to surgery. In order to be useful, however, what is normal for a particular population needs to be established, and measurements made on other breeds may not be relevant to canine athletes such as the Greyhound. This study of 17 male and 22 female adult Greyhounds found marked differences in the range of motion measured by goniometer in this population compared to those measured in Labrador Retrievers in a previous study. Stifle flexion and sex affected hip flexion, while stifle extension and race training affected hip extension. The authors make the point that it is important to consider methodology when making comparisons between studies. Planning for parturition and perinatal care by breeders and veterinarians is improved by accurate prediction of fetal age and litter size. This retrospective record review from the Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital assessed the value of two methods of ultrasonography in bitches of different gestational ages and litter sizes. Owners were advised to present bitches for scanning between 28 and 35 days after mating, but not all were done in that time. Size of dogs ranged from miniature poodles to Alaskan Malamutes. The first method was used in early or mid pregnancy and the developmental feature that had appeared most recently was consistent with the gestational age. In large breed dogs in late pregnancy, diameters of skulls and transverse trunks were used to predict the numbers of days to parturition. Litter size was assessed by counting vesicles or fetal heads. Breeders completed a questionnaire for numbers of pups born and the date of parturition. Results showed a high correlation between predicted and actual parturition date but the second method was less accurate in large dogs. The authors recommended examination at 20 to 43 days after the luteinising hormone surge, using the sonographic appearance of fetal organ development, and noted that subsequently resorbed fetuses may reduce the accuracy of predicting fetal numbers. Gall bladder disease is rare in dogs, and clinical signs are similar to those of other abdominal disorders. The cause of gall bladder torsion is unknown. It is uncommon in humans and not previously recorded in the dog. Gall bladder torsion in this 6-year-old German Shepherd was diagnosed on exploratory laparotomy to investigate the cause of peritonitis. The gall bladder was attached to the hepatic fossa only by the cystic duct and artery, and had rotated 360 degrees on its axis. Bile was leaking from a rupture in the wall. A cholecystectomy was performed and the dog made a full recovery. Torsion may have occurred because of increased mobility of the gall bladder allowed by a complete absence of the normal peritoneal and connective tissue attachments to the hepatic fossa. Cryopreservation of mammalian sperm requires the addition of a protectant in the diluent to prevent ice crystal damage. Egg yolk and glycerol have been used, but stallion fertility after freezing and thawing is lower than other species. In this study, semen was washed and resuspended in 20% duck or chicken egg yolk based freezing extender. Results showed no difference in motility between stallions, but there was a significant difference in the percentage of morphologically normal sperm. Total motility and forwardly progressive motile sperm were significantly higher when using duck egg yolk. Motility was also higher at a dilution of 200 × 106/mL than at 20 × 106/mL, although this is equally likely to have been due to thawing differences, as the straws were 0.5 mL and 0.25 mL respectively. The authors recommend that a full fertility trial would be necessary to confirm these results. The Australian chicken industry is currently valued at A$1.76 billion. The clinical effect of Newcastle disease virus infection ranges from inapparent to rapidly fatal, depending on the pathotype of the virus. Outbreaks of Newcastle disease between 1998 and 2000 resulted in widespread destruction of broiler, ostrich, duck and layer flocks, with an estimated total cost of more than A$25 million. In this cross sectional survey of commercial chicken farms, serum samples were collected to assess the prevalence and distribution of antibodies and Newcastle disease viruses. The virus was found in all states with the highest prevalence in the Sydney basin and Eastern Victoria. There was no evidence of virulent Newcastle disease. Antibodies were detected in 300 of 753 farms sampled, and titres were higher in vaccinated flocks. Nine virus groups were identified and five of these had novel genome sequences in the region of the F protein cleavage site. Testing of goats for Johne's disease is expensive, as validated serum ELISA or faecal culture tests are done on individual animals. The aim of this study from the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute in New South Wales was to validate a pooled faecal culture test for detection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in goat herds. The sensitivity of the test is important to optimise the maximum number of samples that can be pooled to still identify a positive sample. The paper details the methodology used. Briefly, faeces from known shedder goats were tested at dilutions of between 1 in 5 and 1 in 50, in normal negative faeces. Shedding rates were found by colony counts on solid media. The authors noted that the current cost of ELISA testing and subsequent follow up of seroreactors in a 100-goat herd would be between $870 and $930; the application of this pooled faecal culture test would represent a saving of 40% of the whole herd by ELISA and a 75 to 90% reduction in cost of individual faecal culture.