Pmf Mbithi

A study of cystic echinococcosis in slaughter animals in three selected areas of northern Turkana, Kenya.

In an attempt to establish the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis, a study was conducted in slaughter animals in three divisions of northern Turkana, Kenya. A total of 5752 goats, 588 sheep, 381 cattle and 70 camels were examined at slaughter. Echinococcus granulosus metacestodes were found in 19.4% of the cattle, 3.6% of sheep, 4.5% of goats and 61.4% of camels. The prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in cattle, sheep and goats was higher in Lokichogio than in either Kakuma or Central divisions. On the other hand, the prevalence of the disease in camels was higher in Central (84.6%) than either Lokichogio (70.6%) or Kakuma (50%). The differences in prevalence rates in different study areas are attributed to differences in environmental conditions, livestock stocking intensity and cross-border migration of livestock.

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].

Risk (Predisposing) Factors for Non-Infectious Claw Disorders in Dairy Cows Under Varying Zero-Grazing Systems

Lameness in cattle is one of the major causes of economic losses in dairy production systems (Hernandez et al., 2005; Kossaibati & Esslemont, 1997). These losses occur through various negative impact directly on cattle and indirectly on the dairy production system. These include reduced milk yield (Hernandez et al., 2005), discarding of milk due to withdrawal period of drugs used to treat some of the lameness conditions, cost of veterinary drugs and professional services in managing the conditions (Enting et al., 1997), lowered conception rate and increased calving interval (Melendez et al., 2003; Sogstad et al.,2006), reduced ovarian activity during early postpartum period (Garbarino et al., 2004), as well as premature culling and occasional mortalities (Enting et al., 1997). Lameness has also been identified as a major welfare determinant in cattle because of discomfort and pain that it causes (Offer et al., 2000).

Prognosis indicators and economic implications of advanced bovine ocular squamous cell carcinoma after radical surgery

The productive life span of animals is shortened and the carcass devalued by ocular squamous cell carcinoma. This causes remarkable economic losses in the cattle industry, particularly because the disease is most common at the peak of production (Farris and Fraunfelder 1976; Cordy 1978). The carcinoma lesion initially involves the third eyelid, then spreads to the globe (Fox 1963), the eyelids (Spradbrow and Hoffmann 1980), and even the orbital bones (Brier, Kleinschuster, and Corbett 1979). In most cases, squamous cell carcinoma does not involve the orbit, but when it does, the prognosis is extremely guarded (Rebhun 1979). For such cases it is recommended that the animal be destroyed because effective enucleation would be unsuccessful. Occasionally, the lesion spreads to the draining lymph nodes, sinuses and the brain (Brier, Kleinschuster and Corbett 1979). Ocular squamous cell carcinoma is frequently subject to physical trauma and becomes infected and even infested with fly larvae (Spradbrow and Hoffmann 1980). When neglected, the carcinoma becomes ulcerated, infected and discharges foul smelling exudate. Apart from surgical excision, most other available methods of treatment are only effective for early carcinoma lesions (Spradbrow and Hoffman 1980). However, according to Rubin (1984), excisional surgery is most successful in superficial lesions whose margins are clearly distinct and within reach. For advanced extensive carcinoma lesions, a more radical surgery involving removal of most of the ocular and adjacent tissues is advocated (Spradbrow and Hoffmann 1980), and prognosis is even better when radical surgery involves block resection including removal of draining and adjacent lymph nodes such as the parotid (Brier, Kleinschuster, and Corbett 1979). Observation has revealed that most cases are not presented for treatment until the neoplasm is quite advanced and complicated (Fox 1963). In such cases the prognosis is poor even with the most radical surgery. Due to vast economic losses encountered, this paper is intended to point out some factors of advanced ocular carcinoma, as observed in seventeen cows, that may be used in making the prognosis before surgery is attempted. This of course would minimize economic losses from surgery and post-operative complication management of ocular squamous cell carcinoma. This article therefore correlates the clinical manifestation of the carcinoma lesions with the outcome of treatment.

Alpha-2-Adrenoceptor agonists in Veterinary Practice

Since the first a2- adrenoceptor agonist xylazine (Rompun) was synthesized in 1962 in Germany, and subsequent development of others in this group, a2-adrenoceptor agonists have been used for decades for their sedative, analgesic and muscle relaxant properties in laboratory, domestic and wild animal species. Although drugs in this group induce physiologic alterations in many species whose magnitude depends on the dose, rate of administration and concomitantly administered drugs, they have proven to be safe adjunctive agents in augmenting central nervous system depression, analgesia and muscle relaxation in healthy patients. One of the more significant advances in veterinary anesthesiology during the last decade has been the utilization of antagonists for the reversal of injectable anesthetic regimens. Most notable of these is the clinical application of a2-antagonists such as yohimbine, telazoline, midazoxam, and atipamazole for the reversal of the sedative –muscle relaxant action actions induced by xylazine and other a2- adrenoceptor agonists. This advance has made the use of drugs in this group safer and they will continue to play an important role in the evolution and development of reliable synergistic receptor mediated analgesia and anesthesia. This paper looks at the role a2-adrenoceptor agonists have played and continue to play in veterinary practice. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 22 2001: pp. 82-90

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

Occurrence of clinical dermatophilosis in zero-grazed dairy cattle

Dermatophilosis was clinically diagnosed and confirmed by isolation of Dermatophilus congolensis in three cows in a herd of seven zero-grazed dairy cattle. The lesions observed were matting together of hair into small tufts (greasy crusts) and discrete circumscribed lesions covered with creamy greasy crusts. The matting of hair into small tufts was found all over the body, while the discrete circumscribed lesions were mostly found in the distal extremities, dewlap, brisket, flank and dorsal midline. The circumscribed crusty lesions were similar to those of Trichophyton verrucosum infections that occur in similar production systems in Kenya, in that they were thick, horny and raised above the skin surface. However, unlike Trichophyton verrucosum infections, the crusts were held in place by penetrating hairs. Treatment of the severely affected cow with a single intramuscular injection of long acting tetracycline (20 mg/kg) resulted in regression of the lesions within 4 weeks, while in the mildly affected animals; the lesions receded on their own. Significant clinical Dermatophilosis has not been previously reported in stall-fed dairy animals in Kenya. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 21 2001: pp. 43-44