In 1946 Olafson and associates described gastroenteritis with severe diarrhea in dairy herds in New York state. Some affected animals developed ulcers in the nasal and oral mucosa. Abortions were also seen. Although morbidity rates seemed high, mortality rates were low. Bacteria were not found in blood or tissues that produced the same clinical symptoms in healthy cattle. Through transmission and immunity studies, the ailment was differentiated from rinderpest, which has similar symptoms. The new disease was termed bovine viral diarrhea.

The Hasan Sadikin General Hospital in Bandung is investigating the death of a suspected bird flu victim who died of acute pneumonia, because initial tests showed no signs of H5N1 virus infection , hospital director says.
Hospital director Cissy Rachiana Prawira said the complete test results would be available within 10 days.
Cissy said the hospital received test results from the Health Development and Research Center in Jakarta on Thursday, four days after Dadang Hadiansyah, 32, died at the hospital's isolation ward.

Chocolate, raisins or grapes are "poisonous" for pets, according to the code, while a dog should not be disturbed when eating as this can cause "food-related aggression".

It also recommends that dogs should not be fed at the table as this can lead to begging - and that "curious" animals such as cats should be kept away from windows or tumble dryers.

The new codes of practice for owners of dogs, cats and horses, just released for consultation, are part of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to prevent cruelty.