LDI2601
ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 2 2024
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 2024
, lOMoARcPSD|21997160
LDI2601 ASSIGNMENT 2 S2 2024 SEMESTER 2
LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS: ANIMAL HEALTH I
The assignment will be marked according to the following criteria:
Well-structured history that includes possible diagnostic differential (DD) list 40%
Prophylactic plan and laboratory test to confirm the condition 20%
Extra reading and information 15%
Presentation (language, scientific expression) 15%
Legibility, neatness, layout 10%
Almost all the basic facts can be found in your study guides. This assignment has been set to
test both your knowledge and general approach to the problems posed. The marks allocated are
merely a guideline regarding the factual content. Keep your writing concise and focus on what
is relevant – remember that science is an exact discipline.
A farmer asks you to investigate a disease outbreak in his herd of 120 cattle on his farm
located in Mpumalanga. Since last week, two cattle have died and another fifteen appear to
be ill. He bought in some cattle recently and noticed that they were heavily infested with ticks.
All the affected animals were adult animals. The rainfall has been higher than normal, and it
has also been very hot lately. His dip tank was flooded by the heavy rain, and he did not dip
for six weeks. He treated seven of the sick animals and the two that dies with a “gal drench”
that he obtained at the co-op. The animal health technician vaccinated the young animals
against black quarter and the whole herd against anthrax two months ago.
When one of the cattle that died was cut open, the carcass seemed to be pale and the blood
watery. The gall bladder was distended, and the liver and spleen were enlarged. Two of the
new cows had pieces of afterbirth hanging out. The affected cattle refuse to eat, are listless,
seem to have difficulty breathing, and have a rough hair coat. They are also very thin.
• Draw up a history for this case. Make sure the history is clear and well structured.
Include additional fictional information if necessary.
• Which laboratory test will be requested to confirm the condition
• Provide a prophylactic plan of treatment for the farmer and identify possible role (s) of
an animal health technician.
Total: 100
N.B In this case, concentrates only on the probable and possible Tick-borne diseases.