African Journals Online
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association

Volume 71, Issue 4, December 2000

Bone, blood and faecal response to an acidogenic lick for range cattle using different concentrations of ammonium chloride : article
Beighle, D.E. 215-218

Abstract: Thirty Brahman-Angus cross heifers at breeding age on extensive grazing were used to test the effectiveness of NH₄Cl as an acidogenic agent at 15, 18, 21 and 26 %of a dicalcium phosphate lick (A+), compared to a lick of 5 parts dicalcium phosphate and 3 parts salt (A-). Blood and faecal phosphorus (P), faecal calcium (Ca) and faecal magnesium (Mg) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in A+ compared to A- animals at different stages of the experiment. Bone P did not increase in response to NH₄Cl but bone Ca was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in A+animals offered 18 % NH₄Cl and significantly (P < 0.05) lower at 15 and 26 %. Bone Mgin A+animals was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 15 and 18 % NH₄Cl and lower at 26 % NH₄Cl compared to A- animals. Percentage ash in bone increased linearly from 62.5 to 64.9 % in A+ animals as NH₄Cl was increased in the lick from 15 to 21 % and then decreased to 63.3 % but was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than the percentage ash in A- animals when the NH₄Cl was increased to 26 %. Bone mineral status was only marginally improved by adding NH₄Cl to the lick in this study but blood P was significantly (P < 0.05) improved in A+ compared to A- animals when the lick contained 15, 21 and 26 % NH₄Cl. Based on bone mineral results reported here, it is recommended that, when NH₄Cl is used as an acidogenic agent in licks for range cattle, the amount in the lick should not exceed 21 %.

Control of immature stages of the flea Ctenocephalides felis(Bouché) in carpets exposed to cats treated with imidacloprid : article
Fourie, L.J.Kok, D.J.Peter, R.J. 219-221

Abstract: Fleas cause allergic dermatitis in cats and dogs and therefore warrant control. It has been demonstrated previously that there is marked inhibition of the development of the immature stages of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis on fleece blankets exposed to cats treated with imidacloprid. This study reports on the efficacy of imidacloprid in suppressing adult flea emergence in carpet exposed to treated cats. Circular discs of carpet pre-seeded with flea eggs and larvae were exposed to 6 untreated control and 6 topically treated (imidacloprid 10 % m/v) cats 1 to 2 days after treatment and subsequently fortnightly for 6 weeks. Exposure times on alternate days were either 1 or 6 hours. Adult flea yield from carpets was determined 35 days after exposure. Differences between flea yield on control carpets and those exposed for 1 hour were significant only for days +1 and +14. For the 6-hour exposure, differences were significant at all times except on Day +43. The ability of imidacloprid to suppress the yield of adult fleas on carpets (6-hour exposure) steadily declined from 82 % (Day +2) to 12 %(Day +43). For the 1-hour exposure it varied inconsistently between 0 and 83 % over the 6-week study period.

A survey of feline babesiosis in South Africa : article
Jacobson, L.S.Schoeman, T.Lobetti, R.G. 222-228

Abstract: South Africa appears to be the only country where feline babesiosis is a significant clinical entity in domestic cats. Little is known about its epidemiology or the clinical challenges facing practitioners. A questionnaire posted to 1760 South African veterinarians was returned by 16 %, representing approximately 40 % of practices. Just over half reported seeing feline babesiosis, with most cases occurring in the coastal areas of the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. Overall incidence is highest in summer, but seasonality is less pronounced in non-seasonal and winter rainfall areas. No age, breed or sex predisposition was identified. Weight loss, weakness, anaemia, fever and icterus are common clinical findings. Complications include hepatopathy, renal failure, pulmonary oedema, cerebral signs, immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia and concurrent infections. The antibabesial drug of choice is primaquine phosphate. Response to therapy is generally good, but recurrence and chronic infections were identified as problems. The average mortality rate was 15 %. Approximately 3000 cases are seen annually by the respondents, at an estimated cost of R750 000 to the owners. Feline babesiosis is a significant problem in South Africa, and further investigations of taxonomic status, concurrent infections, chemotherapy, complications and management of refractory cases are warranted.

Effects of xylazine on acid-base balance and arterial blood-gas tensions in goats under different environmental temperature and humidity conditions : article
Mogoa, E.G.M.Stegmann, G.F.Guthrie, A.J. 229-231

Abstract: The effects of acute exposure to 3 different temperature and humidity conditions on arterial blood-gas and acid-base balance in goats were investigated after intravenous bolus administration of xylazine at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg. Significant (P < 0.05) changes in the variables occurred under all 3 environmental conditions. Decreases in pH, partial pressure of oxygen and oxyhaemoglobin saturation were observed, and the minimum values for oxygen tension and oxyhaemoglobin saturation were observed within 5 min of xylazine administration. The pH decreased to its minimum values between 5 and 15 min. Thereafter, the variables started to return towards baseline, but did not reach baseline values at the end of the 60 min observation period. Increases in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, total carbon dioxide content, bicarbonate ion concentration, and the actual base excess were observed. The maximum increase in the carbon dioxide tension occurred within 5 min of xylazine administration. The increase in the actual base excess only became significant after 30 min in all 3 environments, and maximal increases were observed at 60 min. There were no significant differences between the variables in the 3 different environments. It was concluded that intravenous xylazine administration in goats resulted in significant changes in arterial blood-gas and acid-base balance that were associated with hypoxaemia and respiratory acidosis, followed by metabolic alkalosis that continued for the duration of the observation period. Acute exposure to different environmental temperature and humidity conditions after xylazine administration did not influence the changes in arterial blood-gas and acid-base balance.

Acute pancreatitis : a newly recognised potential complication of canine babesiosis : article
Mohr, A.J.Lobetti, R.G.Van der Lugt, J.J. 232-239

Abstract: This retrospective study describes 4 cases of canine babesiosis with histologically confirmed acute pancreatitis. In addition, 16 dogs with babesiosis are reported with serum amylase (>3500 U/l ) and/or lipase (>650 U/l ) activity elevations of a magnitude that would support a diagnosis of probable acute pancreatitis, although extra-pancreatic sources of the enzymes could not be excluded in these cases. Median time of pancreatitis diagnosis was 2.5 days post-admission, with primarily young (median age 3 years), sexually intact dogs affected. The development of pancreatitis was unrelated to the degree of anaemia at time of admission. In addition to pancreatitis, 80 % of cases suffered from other babesial complications, namely icterus (13), acute respiratory distress syndrome (6), immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (6), renal failure (3), haemoconcentration (2) and cerebral syndrome (2). Acute respiratory distress syndrome, renal failure and cerebral syndrome were associated with a poor prognosis, with 4 of the 5 dogs included in the overall 26 % mortality rate having at least 1 of these complications. Haemolytic anaemia with ischaemia-reperfusion injury to the pancreas is proposed as a possible primary pathophysiological mechanism in babesial pancreatitis. Hypotensive shock, immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, haemoconcentration and possibly altered lipid metabolism in babesiosis may also be involved. The previously postulated pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu of complicated babesiosis may underlie the progression, if not the primary initiation, of pancreatic pathology. Acute pancreatitis may represent the previously reported `gut' form of babesiosis.

The use of herbal preparations for tick control in western Ethiopia : article
Regassa, A. 240-243

Abstract: Information on the traditional tick control methods used in Keffa, Illubabor and Wellega Provinces in western Ethiopia was obtained from 86 veterinary clinics and 865 peasant farmers through a questionnaire survey. Latexes of Euphorbia obovalifolia and Ficus brachypoda, juice of crushed leaves of Phytolaca dodecandra and Vernonia amygdalina, fruit juice of Solanum incanum, crushed seeds of Lepidium sativum mixed with fresh cattle faeces, juice of crushed leaves and bark of Calpurnea aurea and commercially available spice of Capsicum spp. mixed with butter, were used by peasant farmers to control ticks. Preliminary in vitro efficacy tests of these plant preparations were performed on engorged female Boophilus decoloratus. Preparations of Capsicum spp., E. obovalifolia, S. incanum and F. brachypoda were found to have 30-100 % killing effects. Subsequently, in vivo treatment trials of these preparations were conducted using indigenous Bos indicus cattle naturally infested with ticks. Results indicate that treatments at the rate of once per day for 5 consecutive days with the latexes of E. obovalifolia and F. brachypoda can reduce tick burdens by up to 70 % on cattle.

Effect of dietary concentrate level on body immune response in calves fed a wheat straw-based diet : short communication
Santra, A.Pathak, N.N. 244-245

Abstract: Twenty 9-month-old crossbred calves were divided into 2 equal groups (A and B; n = 10). The feeding trial was conducted for 119 days to study the effect of concentrate supplementation on body immune response and blood metabolites in calves. The concentrate and roughage (wheat straw) ratio in the diet of Groups A and B was 60:40 and 30:70, respectively. Daily dry matter intake was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in Group A than in Group B, which also resulted in significantly higher (P < 0.01) total body weight gain in the former group. Protein, albumin, globulin, total and differential leukocyte count in blood were similar in the 2 groups but blood glucose level was higher (P < 0.05) in the calves of Group A. There was no difference in body immune response between the groups, which indicated that body immune response of animals is not significantly influenced by restricted concentrate feeding.

Isoflurane anaesthesia in an African wild dog, Lycaon pictus : short communication
Stegmann, G.F. 246

Abstract: Anaesthesia was required in a captive female African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) for surgical wound treatment. After it was immobilised with a medetomidine-ketamine combination, bradycardia, hypothermia, systolic hypertension and metabolic acidosis were observed. Surgical anaesthesia was maintained with a 1 %end-tidal isoflurane concentration. A decrease in the arterial blood pressure, rectal temperature and pHoccurred during maintenance of anaesthesia.

Helminth parasites of indigenous chickens in Oodi, Kgatleng District, Botswana : short communication
Mushi, E.Z.Binta, M.G.Chabo, R.G.Ndebele, R.Thibanyane, T. 247-248

Abstract: Thirteen adult indigenous chickens from Oodi, Kgatleng district, Botswana, were examined for helminth parasites. Two species of nematodes, Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum, and species of the cestode genus Raillietina, were recovered. A. galli and H. gallinarumwere the most commonly seen parasites. The nematode A. galli occurred concurrently with Raillietina spp.

Parasites of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Sebele, Gaborone, Botswana : short communication
Mushi, E.Z.Binta, M.G.Chabo, R.G.Ndebele, R.Panzirah, R. 249-250

Abstract: The following parasites were found in apparently healthy pigeons kept in Sebele: a haemoprotozoan, Haemoproteus columbae (80 %); endoparasite metazoan nematodes, Ascaridia columbae(30 %) and Dispharynx spiralis(10 %); a cestode, Raillietina sp. (80 %) and coccidian oocysts (40 %); 2 ectoparasites, namely the pigeon fly, Pseudolynchia canariensis (50 %) and the louse, Columbicola columbae (30 %). The pigeons also had high antibody titres, (1:256) to the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (100 %). The latter infection in these domestic pigeons has public health implications.

Gastric Ollulanus tricuspis infection identified in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) with chronic vomiting : case report
Collet, M.G.Pomroy, W.E.Guilford, W.G.Johnstone, A.C.Blanchard, B.J.Mirams, S.G. 251-255

Abstract: Gastritis, vomition and weight loss are common in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Gastric spiral bacteria (Helicobacter spp.) and the very small, viviparous nematode Ollulanus tricuspis, a stomach worm of cats, are believed to be important causes. Three sibling cheetahs at Wellington Zoo, New Zealand, developed chronic vomiting, diarrhoea and debility. Their parents were both South African-born. Response to antibacterial treatment was poor. Endoscopic examinations revealed chronic lymphoplasmacytic gastritis and Ollulanus infection. Treatment with oxfendazole and pyrantel embonate resulted in clinical improvement; however, 1 cheetah, which died 7 months later as a result of a ruptured liver due to hepatic amyloidosis, still had Ollulanus worms present in her stomach. Ollulanus tricuspis is a significant cause of gastritis and vomiting in captive cheetahs, lions and tigers, as well as wild cougars and tigers. The parasite has not yet been found in sub-Saharan Africa. Because of the unusual characteristics of this parasite, the literature on its life history and techniques for diagnosis is reviewed.

Vulvovaginectomy and neo-urethrostomy for the treatment of haemangiosarcoma of the vulva and vagina : case report
Hill, T.P.Lobetti, R.G.Sculman, M.L. 256-259

Abstract: Vulvovaginectomy and neo-urethrostomy were performed in a 9-year-old German shepherd dog following a diagnosis of infiltrative vulvar and vestibulovaginal haemangiosarcoma. The dog was presented for intermittent vulvar haemorrhage over a 3-month period. On examination the vulva and vestibulovagina were distended and firm. Vaginal discharge and fine needle aspiration cytology detected anaplastic cells. Haemangiosarcoma was diagnosed on biopsy. A new urethral opening was created in the floor of the vagina allowing resection of the vulva and caudal vestibulovagina. Urinary continence was preserved and healing was without complications.