African
Journals Online
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
Feline panleukopenia virus revisited : molecular
characteristics and pathological lesions associated with three
recent isolates : article
Van Vuuren, M.Steinel, A.Goosen, T.Lane, E.Van der
Lugt, J.Pearson, J.Truyen, U
140-143
Abstract: The low incidence of clinical signs or
pathological lesions compatible with feline panleukopenia in cats
has created the perception among practitioners that the disease
has disappeared since the emergence of canine parvovirus type 2
in the late 1970s.Three parvoviruses that were recently isolated
from a domestic cat and 2 cheetahs in cell culture or detected by
means of the polymerase chain reaction were shown to be typical
feline parvoviruses. Phylogenetic comparison with other FPV
isolates did not reveal a particular African cluster.
A study to evaluate the field efficacy of ivermectin,
fenbendazole and pyrantel pamoate, with preliminary observations
on the efficacy of doramectin, as anthelmintics in horses :
article
Davies, J.A.Schwalbach, L.M.J.
144-147
Abstract: The efficacy of ivermectin, fenbendazole,
pyrantel pamoate and doramectin was evaluated under field
conditions at 2 sites in the Free State Province of South Africa.
The study involved 25 horses at each site, divided into 5 groups
of equal size. Ivermectin, fenbendazole and pyrantel pamoate were
administered orally at doses of 0.2, 10 and 19 mg/kg
respectively. Doramectin was administered by intramuscular
injection at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg. Treatment efficacy was based on
the mean faecal egg count reduction 14 days post treatment. At
site A a faecal egg count reduction of 100 % was found after
treatment with ivermectin, fenbendazole and doramectin. A 96.1 %
reduction was found after treatment with pyrantel pamoate. At
site B ivermectin and doramectin produced a 100 %reduction in
faecal egg counts, fenbendazole produced an 80.8 % reduction and
pyrantel pamoate a 94.1 %reduction. Doramectin produced a 100
%reduction in faecal egg counts at both sites, despite not being
registered for use in horses. In addition, the results indicated
reduced efficacy of fenbendazole at site B, which suggested
benzimidazole resistance. Larval cultures showed that
cyathostomes accounted for between 86 and 96 %of pre-treatment
parasite burdens at both sites. Other helminths identified in the
faecal samples were Strongylus spp. and Trichostrongylus axei.
A preliminary evaluation of a sheep blowfly trap in the
Western Cape : article
Scholtz, A.J.Cloete, S.W.P.Laubscher, J.M.De Beer, E.F.
148-152
Abstract: An insecticide-free sheep blowfly trapping
system, utilising a synthetic lure, was evaluated at 4 localities
in the Western Cape. Control sites, where no suppression was
practised, were identified for each locality. The blowfly
population was monitored for 48 hours monthly at each of the
localities. Five to 7 suppression traps at the respective
localities were identified for this purpose. Three to 10 traps
were set monthly for monitoring in the control areas. Trapping
resulted in the suppression (P <0.01) of the Lucilia
population at Caledon, where a large area of approximately 50 km
2 was trapped. The suppression area of all the localities was
=850 ha. At Elsenburg, blowfly numbers were low. There was a
strong suggestion of a general reduction in the Lucilia numbers
at this locality. Trapping failed to reduce Lucilia numbers at
Tygerhoek and Langgewens. Lack of control over the influx of
Lucilia from adjacent sheep-producing areas probably contributed
to this result. The observed response at Elsenburg was probably
due to its situation in a predominantly wine-growing area. Most
of the blowflies recovered from the control traps during the
month with the highest yield at the respective localities
belonged to the genus Lucilia. The results obtained at Caledon
and published reports suggest that large-scale trapping of
Lucilia spp. may play a role in an integrated pest management
system for blowflies.
Clinical, cardiopulmonary and haemocytological effects of
xylazine in goats after acute exposure to different environmental
temperature and humidity conditions : article
Mogoa, E.G.M.Stegmann, G.F.Guthrie, A.J.Swan, G.E.
153-159
Abstract: This study was carried out to assess the
influence of xylazine administration on clinical, cardiopulmonary
and haemocytological variables after acute exposure to different
environmental conditions. Xylazine hydrochloride was administered
intravenously at 0.1 mg/kg body mass to 6 clinically healthy,
castrated male goats. All animals were exposed for 60 min to 3
sets of climatic conditions: 14 ºC, 33 %relative humidity; 24
ºC, 55 %RH, and 34 ºC, 65 % RH. The variables that were
measured for a period of 60 min after xylazine administration
were sedation, analgesia, salivation, urination, ventilation
rate, heart-rate, mean arterial blood pressure, oesophageal
temperature, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume and mean
corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Xylazine induced sedation,
analgesia, salivation and urination independently of the 3
environmental conditions. Environment had no influence on the
onset, duration and recovery from sedation. In the 14 ºC
environment, xylazine resulted in a significant decrease in
ventilation and heart-rate from baseline values. Significant
changes in mean arterial blood pressure, haemoglobin
concentration, mean corpuscular volume, haematocrit and red cell
count were observed in the 3 environments. Total plasma protein
was significantly altered at 24 ºC and 34 ºC. Acute exposure of
goats to different environmental conditions had no significant
influence on the clinical, cardiopulmonary and haemocytological
variables. Physiological changes induced by xylazine were
therefore independent of the environment.
Characteristics and performance of village animal health
workers and veterinary assistants in northern Malawi : article
Huttner, K.Leidl, K.Jere, F.B.D.Pfeiffer, D.U.
160-165
Abstract: Fourty-two village animal health workers called
keymen (KM) and 84 veterinary assistants (VA) involved in a Basic
Animal Health Service (BAHS) Programme in northern Malawi were
interviewed during 1998. The general characteristics and
perceptions of both groups were analysed using uni- and
multivariate techniques. Detailed sales and treatment patterns of
six KMand 12 VAwere evaluated for the period September 1996 to
August 1997. Results indicated an overall job-satisfaction for 82
% of KM and 83 % of VA. Estimated weekly involvement in livestock
service delivery, particularly of KM, was 3.7 days on average.
Total annual drug sales of KM and VA between 1996 and 1997 on
average were equivalent to US$ 124 and US$ 218 respectively. Most
livestock remedies were issued for treatment of calves, followed
by adult cattle, chickens and small ruminants. The changes
suggested by VA and KM in order to improve field performance
focused on regular refresher training by the BAHS programme.
Routine veterinary anaesthetic management practices in
South Africa : article
Joubert, K.E.
166-172
Abstract: A survey of the routine anaesthetic management
of dogs and cats during sterilisation by veterinarians in South
Africa was conducted. This report describes the premedication,
induction and maintenance agents most commonly used in dogs and
cats. Information about monitoring of patients during the
procedure and who is responsible for induction of anaesthesia and
monitoring was obtained. Questionnaires were analysed with regard
to demographic data, practice size, continuing education, the
number of surgical procedures and sterilisations performed per
week and an estimate of yearly mortality. Acetylpromazine is the
most commonly used premedication in dogs and xylazine in cats.
Thiopentone in dogs and alphaxalone/alphadolone in cats were the
induction agents most commonly used. Alphaxalone/alphadolone in
cats and halothane in dogs are the most commonly used maintenance
agents. Records of anaesthesia are poorly kept and monitoring of
patients is poorly performed. Respiratory rate is the parameter
most commonly monitored (90.7 %), and in most cases is the sole
parameter. On average 10.34 ± 8.25 cats were operated per week,
of which 5.45 ±5.60 were sterilised; 17.79 ±11.61 dogs were
operated per week, of which 8.65 ±7.10 were sterilised. In
total, 190 patients died under anaesthesia, a mortality rate of
1:1243. Just over 50 % of practitioners had attended continuing
education courses during their careers.
The spread of weeds into sensitive areas by seeds in horse
faeces : article
Van Dyk, E.Neser, S.
173-174
Abstract: The possible spread by horse faeces of plants
that may become weeds in sensitive areas was investigated. It was
found that the period 24-48 hours after ingestion of seeds
included in rations was the retention time for seeds passing
through the digestive system of the horse. The ability of seeds
to germinate was not influenced by exposure to digestive fluids
or sea-water. A feeding regime of compound feeds is suggested.
Ectoparasites of dogs belonging to people in resource-poor
communities in North West Province, South Africa : article
Bryson, N.R.Horak, I.G.Hohn, E.W.Louw, J.P.
175-179
Abstract: A total of 344 dogs belonging to people in
resource-poor communities in North West Province, South Africa,
was examined for ectoparasites, and all visible arthropods were
collected from the left side of each dog. By doubling these
numbers it was estimated that the dogs harboured 14 724 ixodid
ticks, belonging to 6 species, 1028 fleas, belonging to 2
species, and 26 lice. Haemaphysalis leachi accounted for 420 and
Rhipicephalus sanguineus for 14 226 of the ticks. Pure
infestations of H. leachi were present on 14 dogs and of R.
sanguineus on 172 dogs. Small numbers of Amblyomma hebraeum, R.
appendiculatus, R. evertsi evertsi and R. simus were also
collected. The predominance of R. sanguineus accounts for the
high prevalence of canine ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis) within
the survey region, compared to canine babesiosis (Babesia canis),
which is transmitted by H. leachi, and is a much rarer disease.
Survey of canine babesiosis in South Africa : article
Collett, M.G.
180-186
Abstract: A questionnaire, designed to obtain qualitative
information on a number of variables concerning canine babesiosis
(biliary fever) in South Africa, was sent to 510 veterinary
practices in late 1993. Of the 157 practices that responded, all
were presented with cases of babesiosis and most were situated in
Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Apart from the
Western Cape, a winter-rainfall region, the prevalence of
babesiosis cases in dogs was highest in summer. Most of the
respondent practices treated between 1000 and 5000 sick dogs that
included 100 to 500 babesiosis cases each year. Respondents
identified cerebral babesiosis, enterorrhagia, `red' or
haemoconcentrated babesiosis, acute renal failure and pulmonary
babesiosis or `shock lung', amongst others, as the most prevalent
forms of complicated (`atypical') babesiosis. Diminazene,
imidocarb and trypan blue were the most popular antibabesials.
Trypan blue was most often used in shocked patients, whereas
diminazene and imidocarb were preferred when there was a high
parasitaemia in the absence of shock. At least 19 antibabesial
treatment regimens were used in practices. These comprised the
use of single doses of antibabesial drugs; split doses with
repeat injections, and combined drug variations, some of which
are undesirable due to possible sterilisation of Babesia
infection or potential toxicity. Side-effects were most commonly
associated with imidocarb use. Ninety-six percent of respondents
used supportive treatment (e.g. corticosteroids, vitamins and
`liver support') in all cases of babesiosis. The use of blood
transfusion as supportive treatment varied according to practice
and severity of the case. Most practices never cross-matched
blood to be transfused, and transfusion reactions were rare.
Diminazene was most frequently incriminated in cases where drug
`resistance' or relapses occurred. Cerebral and `red' cases
resulted in high mortality. Treatment of babesiosis costs the
dog-owning public in South Africa more than R20 million each
year. Information on the distribution and possible complicating
role of Ehrlichia canis was obtained. Development of a vaccine
was the first research priority identified.
Helicopter-based censusing of domestic dogs in Gauteng
Province, South Africa : article
Reilly, B.K.Van der Vyver, F.
187-191
Abstract: Decision support in veterinary epidemiology
often depends on density estimates of domestic animals. These
estimates are usually based on ground surveys of various types.
Ground surveys are difficult to undertake in the informal housing
settlements that are frequently encountered in developing
countries. In addition, they are time-consuming and expensive. In
this study, field experience in enumerating wildlife from
helicopters was used to count domestic animals in Gauteng
Province, South Africa. Data for domestic dogs are analysed for
precision and accuracy and the technique evaluated in terms of
its value for decision support.
The measurement of glucocorticoid concentrations in the
serum and faeces of captive African elephants (Loxodonta
africana) after ACTH stimulation : research communication
Stead, S.K.Meltzer, D.G.A.Palme, R.
192-196
Abstract: Conventionally, the assessment of adrenal
responses to stress relies on blood sample collection. However,
blood collection from animals is impossible without restraint or
immobilisation that influences results. This study was undertaken
to validate recently established enzyme immunoassays that measure
faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in elephants, and to perform a
preliminary investigation into the biological relevance of this
non-invasive method for use in assessing the degree of stress in
this species. Four juvenile African elephants were injected i.m.
with 2.15 mg synthetic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (Synacthén,
Novartis, Switzerland). Blood and faecal samples were collected
over 4 h and 7 d respectively. Concentrations of serum cortisol
and faecal cortisol metabolites were determined using
immunoassay. Variability of basal and peak values in blood and
faeces was observed among the elephants. After ACTH injection,
serum cortisol concentrations increased by 400-700 %. An
11-oxoaetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) proved best
suited to measure cortisol metabolites (11,17-dioxoandrostanes)
when compared to a cortisol and corticosterone EIA in faecal
samples. Concentrations of faecal 11,17-dioxoandrostanes
increased by 570-1070 %, reaching peak levels after 20.0-25.5 h.
Greater levels of glucocorticoid metabolites were measured in
faecal samples from elephants kept in small enclosures compared
to levels in the faeces of animals ranging over a larger area.
The results of this preliminary study suggest that non-invasive
faecal monitoring of glucocorticoid metabolites is useful in
investigating adrenal activity in African elephants.
Dirofilaria repens in a cat with acute liver failure : case
report
Schwan, E.V.Miller, D.B.De Kock, D.
197-200
Abstract: Acute liver failure was diagnosed in a
12-year-old cat. Fine needle aspirate cytology revealed high
numbers of unsheathed microfilariae and a hepatocellular reaction
with no evidence of bacterial infection. The microfilariae were
identified as those of Dirofilaria repens by acid phosphatase
staining. The high number of microfilariae seen in both the blood
and the liver aspirate samples as well as the favourable response
to ivermectin amongst other drugs administered, is suggestive
that D. repens was the cause of the liver insult. A positive
result obtained with an antigen-capture ELISA (Dirochek ®)
for Dirofilaria immitis antigen was interpreted as false. This is
the 1st report of Dirofilaria repens for South Africa.
Bovine mastitis therapy and why it fails : continuing
education
Du Preez, J.H.
201-208
Abstract: Treatment of bovine mastitis depends on the
cause, the clinical manifestation and the antibiotic
susceptibility of the agent. Mastitis therapy is commonly
unsuccessful owing to pathological changes that occur in the
udder parenchyma as a result of the inflammatory reaction to
mastitogenic bacteria, pharmacokinetic properties of
antimicrobial mastitis drugs, mastitogenic bacterial and related
factors, and poor animal husbandry and veterinary interventions.
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