African Journals OnLine
Zimbabwe Veterinary Journal

QUARTERLY
Vol. 32 No. 1 & 2 June, 2001
ABSTRACTS

Factors influencing the prevalence of bovine babesiosis in Northern and Eastern Zimbabwe
T. C. Katsande, S. J. More and R. E. Bock

Summary
A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine factors influencing the occurrence of bovine babesiosis at communal dip tanks in northern and eastern Zimbabwe. A dipping frequency of 21-42 immersions per year was generally followed. Frequent disruptions to the prescribed dipping programme were however reported at 72% of the dip tanks. These were mainly due to shortages of water and acaricides. Dipping of cattle was started at less than 3 months old at 80% of the dip tanks surveyed. Factors that limited efficient supervision of dipping by Veterinary Extension Assistants (VEAs) were transport, distances travelled to the dip tanks and number of dip tanks serviced by each VEA. In the absence of motorbikes, horse transport was suggested as an alternative and efficient mode of transport that should be 
considered by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS). Constraints associated with control of tick-borne disease (TBDs) by dipping are reported and alternative control measures to complement the dipping programme are discussed.


A survey of herd size, disease and health management systems of cattle in Sanyati Communal Area of Zimbabwe
P. Chatikobo, N. T. Kusina, H. Hamudikuwanda and O. Nyoni

Summary
A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine cattle ownership, prevalent diseases and health management systems in Sanyati Communal Area. Forty-four percent of the households owned 1 to 4 head of cattle. On average, the herds comprised approximately 32% cows, 3% bulls, 45% oxen, and 20% calves. Mortality averaged 26 + 3% per annum. The major diseases and causes of mortality identified by the farmers were dermatophilosis, parafilariosis, abortion and tick borne diseases. An unknown but fatal respiratory disease of cattle was also 
reported. Farmers attested to inadequate veterinary support in disease control and intervention. In conclusion, dermatophilosis and parafilariosis were the major cattle health problems in the area. Control measures were hampered by inadequate veterinary support.


Pathological findings in broiler chickens with malabsorption syndrome in Zimbabwe
R. Chamanza, M. Dube, T. Zimhunga, E. T. Zanamwe-Sikala, D. Chitauro, 
P. Chipanga and S. Rogers

Summary
A year-long study of pathological manifestations in broiler chickens with the malabsorption syndrome (MAS) was undertaken. A total of 52 cases comprising 368 chickens including formalin-fixed specimens were analysed. Gross and microscopic lesions were common in the pancreas and the intestines. Over 80% of the birds had pancreatic lesions characterised by fibrosis, while 75% had thin, dilated and mucus-filled intestines associated with villi sloughing and cellular infiltration in the duodenum and goblet cell hyperplasia in the jejunum. The severity of stunting was associated with intestinal bacterial infections, management systems, and the time during the course of the study period. Severe stunting and rickets were present during the first quarter of the study period, suggesting a vertical transmission during that period, while milder stunting was seen as the disease incidence subsided, suggesting a horizontal transmission and a gradual build-up of immunity by broiler parents.


The effect of tick control on bovine dermatophilosis in a smallholder farming area of Zimbabwe
P. Chatikobo, N. T. Kusina, H. Hamudikuwanda and O. Nyoni

Summary
Three different methods of acaricide (Amitraz) application were tested on cattle in Sanyati smallholder farming area to determine the effectiveness of control of ticks on the prevalence of clinical dermatophilosis during a twelve-month period. The acaricide application methods were plunge dipping, hand spraying and a combination of the two. Throughout the twelve months, the cattle plunge dipped had a higher number of ticks (p < 0.05) compared to those using the other two methods. Amblyomma variegatum ticks accounted for 53% of the overall number of ticks counted on cattle. In addition, the occurrence of dermatophilosis was higher (p < 0.05) in cattle plunge dipped and hand sprayed in combination with plunge dipping compared to those hand sprayed only. These results indicate that hand spraying of acaricide might be the method of choice to reduce both tick infestations and the occurrence of dermatophilosis in smallholder cattle herds.