E G M Mogoa

Indicators of Poor Welfare in Dairy Cows Within Smallholder Zero-Grazing Units in the Peri-Urban Areas of Nairobi, Kenya

Animal welfare lacks a good universal definition and a satisfactory distinction from the term “well being”. However, a consensual definition is essential for practical, legislative and sci‐ entific purposes. Without a clear definition, animal welfare cannot be effectively studied or conclusively assessed to provide remedial measures to its violation [1-3]. Animal welfare is therefore defined as the ability of an animal to interact or cope comfortably with its environ‐ ment, resulting in satisfaction of both its physical and mental state [4-6]. This satisfaction en‐ hances expression of normal behavioural patterns by the animal [7,8].

Knowledge, attitude, and practices on usage, disposal, and effect of plastic bags on sheep and goats

The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices of people in the Nairobi and Kajiado Counties, Kenya, on the usage, disposal, and effect of plastic waste on sheep and goats (shoats). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 384 respondents in four communities in the two counties. Most of the people irrespective of their age, occupation, and educational status used plastic bags of some type on a daily basis. A high proportion of the respondents (37.0%, 142) used plastic bags because of the low cost. Approximately, 79.1% (304) disposed used plastic bags in open dumps. A total of 147 (38.3%) households kept shoats. Out of these, 38.1% (56) purchased feed and also allowed their animals to roam. Most of them (45.3%, 174) thought that lack of feed for the animals was the main reason why shoats roam and scavenge at refuse dump sites and road sides. A large proportion of the respondents (44.5%, 143) mentioned death of animals as the ultimate consequence of ingestion of waste plastic bags. Though, the respondents were aware that indiscriminate disposal of used plastic bags could result in death of the animals from which they derive their livelihoods, they nevertheless continued with the practice. There is a need for a paradigm shift in the way and manner plastic bags are used and disposed.

Use of brachial plexus blockade and medetomidine-ketamine-isoflurane anaesthesia for repair of radio-ulna fracture in an adult cheetah (acinonyx jubatus)

BackgroundRegional anaesthetic techniques have been used in combination with systemic analgesics during small animal surgery to provide multimodal analgesia. Brachial plexus nerves block using local anaesthetics provides analgesia of the thoracic limb through desensitization of the nerves that provide sensory and motor innervation. This has been shown to reduce intra-operative anesthetic requirements and provide postoperative pain relief. Decreasing the doses of general anaesthetics allows more stable cardiopulmonary function during anaesthesia and the development of less side effects. The present case reports a successful use of brachial plexus blockade to supplement medetomidine-ketamine-isoflurane anaesthesia for repair of radio-ulna fracture in an adult cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).Case presentationAn adult male Cheetah weighing about 65 kg was presented with a history of leg carrying lameness of the left forelimb sustained following a car accident a week earlier. Clinical examination under general anaesthesia revealed slight dehydration and a swelling with a wound on the caudo-medial aspect of the left radio-ulna region. Crepitation was present on manipulation and radiography confirmed a complete transverse radio-ulna fracture of the left forelimb, which required open reduction and internal fixation. Brachial plexus blockade using lignocaine hydrochloride was used to supplement medetomidine-ketamine-isoflurane anaesthesia for the surgical procedure. Isoflurane anaesthesia was maintained at 0.5 - 2.0% throughout the surgical procedure, which was uneventful. Temperature and cardio-pulmonary parameters remained stable intra-operatively. Limb paralysis extended for 5 hours post-operatively, suggesting prolonged anaesthesia.ConclusionTo the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of the use of brachial plexus blockade to supplement general anaesthesia to facilitate forelimb surgery in an adult cheetah. The use of brachial plexus block with a light plane of general anaesthesia proved to be successful. Brachial plexus block had a sparing effect on isoflurane anaesthesia as evidenced by the concentration used for maintenance of anaesthesia and the stability of the cardiopulmonary function. Moreover, absence of autonomic cardiopulmonary reactions to the surgical manipulation may be attributed to the efficacy of brachial plexus block. This anaesthesia protocol is therefore recommended for surgeries of the forelimb in wild cats.

Influence of Atropine Premedication on Cardiac Rate in Donkeys Injected with Xylazine and Xylazine - Ketamine Combination

The study was carried out in four groups of 5 donkeys each to evaluate the influence of atropine sulphate premedication on cardiac rate in donkeys injected with xylazine and xylazine –ketamine combination. Where atropine was given, it was injected subcutaneously at a dosage of 0.1 mg /kg. Xylazine hydrochloric (2.0 mg/ kg) and the drug combination xylazine (2.0 mg/ kg) – ketamine hydrochloride (4.4 mg/kg) were injected intramuscularly. Where the drug combination xylazine –was given, the two drugs were mixed together and given in the same syringe. Group 1- animals were injected with xylazine, group 2 with atropine and xylazine, group 3 with xylazine and group 4 with atropine- xylazine-ketamine. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 21 2001: pp. 26-28

Pain and Its Management in Animals

Pain is a perception experience associated with actual or potential damage. It is usually caused by mechanical, chemical or thermal stimulation of specialized pain receptors (nociceptors).in tissues. In routine veterinary practice, such acute insults causing intense stimulation encountered include tissue trauma, including surgery, burns and fractures. As veterinary practitioners, we are ethically obliged to prevent pain and suffering where possible and alleviate it, should it occur, as it contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. In order to do this, we need to be able to assess pain in animals and manage it appropriately. Pain assessment can be made based on anthropomorphism, behavioral responses of the patient and clinical sign. The behavioral responses of the patient and clinical sign. The behavioral and physiological responses that accompany pain such as vocalization, withdrawal reflex, guarding of the affected area and increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system are measurable. Pain control in animals can be achieved through limitation of nociceptor stimulation, interruption of peripheral transmission, inhibition of nociceptive transmission at the level of the spine cord modulation of brain pathways by systemic administration of analgesia by simultaneous use of a number of the above strategies. Although the selection and techniques of administration of individual analgesic drugs vary, local and opioid analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tranquilizers and other combination therapies when used appropriately can control pain and alleviate suffering in animals experiencing pain. This paper looks at pain and its management in animals. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 27 2004: pp. 10-14