Susceptibility of wallabies to Fusobacterium necrophorum

Wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) were not appreciably more susceptible than rabbits or mice to Fusobacterium necrophorum, a fact established by the subcutaneous injection of a series of graded doses into animals of each species. The strikingly frequent occurrence of necrobacillosis in captive macropods is therefore not due to a uniquely high susceptibility. A vaccine containing inactivated F necrophorum culture emulsified with Freund's complete adjuvant failed to increase the resistance of wallabies to subcutaneous challenge with a moderate dose of the homologous strain. The control of necrobacillosis in captive wallabies must therefore depend on managemental measures aimed at minimising faecal contamination of the environment and damage to the buccal mucous membrane and skin.