The prevalence of subclinical Salmonella infection in sheep at slaughter was monitored at two slaughter-houses in the southem part of the North Island over a 17-month period during 1975 and 1976. The crude prevalence rate was 4.7% (96/lOl7). Prevale~ rates were greatest in the 2 and 4-tooth age group, with maximum monthly rates of3O%and 32% during 1975 and 1976 respectively. The seasonal distribution of infections was similar in each age group, prevalence rates being greatest in March, April and May, and least in October, November and December.Salmonella typhimurium was found in 78% of the infected sheep, and phage-type 1 caused 72% of these infections. Other serotypes isolated were S. bovis.morbificans, S. derby, S. newington, S. sainlpaul, S. analum and S. enteritidis. The or~ ganisms were all fully sensitive to nine antibiotics. On the grounds that 87% of the infected sheep had salmonellae in their intestinal lymph nodes, it was deemed likely that most of the infected sheep harboured their infections while still on the farms of origin.

A rhinoceros viper presented with recurrent grey, thickened and crusted tissue protruding from the vent, with unilateral thickening and firmness of the left side of the base of the tail. Under anaesthesia, a plug of caseous material was removed from the inverted left hemipene. Fungal culture of the cloaca showed confluent growth of a single species, which could not be definitively identified at that stage. Because of the potential for Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, the causative agent of ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease), antifungal treatments were initiated on Day 14. This included 30 minutes daily nebulisation with terbinafine dissolved in sterile saline and topical dilute betadine spray and enilconazole spray on the affected area, with infrequent oral terbinafine. Treatment continued until Day 101. The fungus was ultimately identified by a reference laboratory as a species of Fusarium Clinical resolution was confirmed on Day 214. Aggressive treatment was chosen because of the risk that ophidiomycosis can present to a collection of snakes.