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The mortality of 8,964 heifer calves born in 122 dairy herds in southwest Sweden in 1998 to 2000 was monitored from January 1998 until December 2000. Farmers were requested to send carcasses for necropsy from animals that died from 1 d of age to first calving. Age and seasonal patterns of mortality were investigated using Kaplan-Meier curves. The median herd-level mortality risk was 2.1%. In total, 3.1% of the animals died before 90 d of age, 0.9% between d 91 and 210, and 2.2% between d 211 and first calving or d 810 (27 mo of age). The median age at death was 50 d and the risk of dying was highest during the first week of life. Of the 421 dead animals, 236 (56%) were subjected to either postmortem examination or were diagnosed as having died from trauma based on information from the farmers. In total, pneumonia was the most common cause of death (27%). However, in calves less than 31 d old, enteritis was the most common cause of death; in young stock 211 to 450 d old, trauma dominated; and in young stock more than 450 d old, trauma and calving-related diseases accounted for a majority of the mortality. The largest proportion of deaths was observed from January to March, and in June. Kaplan-Meier curves suggested that housing in small-group pens was associated with the lowest mortality (other housing systems were single pens and large-group pens with automatic milk feeders), but the association was not significant.

The type and frequency of dental diseases and disorders were determined in 162 randomly selected dogs available for necropsy. There were 82 males and 80 females ranging in age from seven months to 14 years. There were 150 purebred dogs (50 different breeds) and 12 mongrels. Only four breeds were represented by ten individuals or more: Poodles (Miniature and Toy), German Shepherds, Dachshunds, and Boxers. The oral cavity was examined macroscopically, and missing teeth, dental caries, dental calculus (tartar), and gingival epulides were recorded as to frequency and distribution. After macroscopic examination of the oral cavity, the head of each dog was sawed at the midline, fixed in formalin, and radiographed. The frequency, severity, and distribution of marginal periodontitis, periapical destruction, and root resorption were recorded. The most frequently noted disease was periodontitis, which increased in frequency and severity with increasing age of the dogs. The disease varied markedly among and within different breeds. Small dogs were more often affected with periodontitis than large dogs. Periapical destruction was a common finding. Caries and root resorption were less common. Missing teeth was a frequent disorder regardless of age. Most of the dogs had dental calculus.

Summary The histories and clinical signs in 11 horses with longstanding poor performance attributed to chronic sacroiliac damage are described. The main clinical feature was a lack of impulsion from one or both hindlimbs causing a restriction in the hind gait or lowgrade lameness. A temporary improvement was often achieved using anti‐inflammatory medication, but eventually all the horses were killed because of unsatisfactory progress at exercise. Post mortem examination revealed that changes were confined to the sacroiliac joints. The macroscopic and histological findings varied considerably and in only two cases could the changes be classified histologically as arthrosis. In the other nine horses there was increased joint surface area or irregular outline associated with extensions of the joint on the caudomedial aspect. These changes were interpreted as indicating a chronic instability of the joint leading to restriction of hindlimb impulsion. The underlying cause of the problem was not ascertained but the significance and possible pathogenesis of the lesions are discussed.