Standard serum biochemical parameters were determined for 28 mugger crocodiles ( Crocodylus palustris ) using Supra-occipital plexus technique and/or Cardiocentesis technique at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Chennai, Guindy Snake Park Trust and Amaravathy Crocodile farm, Tamilnadu, India (13° 0´ N; 77° 0´ E) from November 2006 to January 2007. The serum biochemical analysis revealed an overall mean value of 10.58 0.38 (mg/dl) for calcium, 4.22 0.10 (mg/dl) for phosphorus and 47.29 0.66 9IU/L) for ALP in apparently healthy mugger crocodiles. Similarly, the overall mean values for uric acid, total protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, triglycerides, glucose, total cholesterol, BUN, creatinine, total bilirubin, AST, ALT, Na, K and C13° 0´ N l were also documented in apparently healthy mugger crocodiles. This report will be useful to develop and evaluate health profiles of these reptilian species under various ecological conditions. Key words : Blood, Biochemistry, India, Crocodylus palustris , Mugger crocodile.
This study assessed prevalence of mastitis and effectiveness of mastitis control in dairy cattle in Mathira constituency. Data regarding occurrence of mastitis, farmers' current practices in mastitis control, and administering a questionnaire to 76 smallholder farmers collected their knowledge about dairy cow mastitis. Quarter milk samples were collected from randomly selected lactating cows and screened for mastitis using the California Mastitis Test. Milk samples that tested positive on screening were cultured for isolation of pathogens. A total of 202 lactating cows were sampled. The prevalence of mastitis at quarter level was 87.4% (n=808) with contagious bacteria pathogens being responsible for 52.2% (n=508) of all the isolates recovered. Most of these contagious isolates were coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus , (98.5%), the rest being Streptococcus agalactiae . Normal teat flora, opportunist and environmental pathogens were responsible for 32.7%, 7.3% and 4.5% of all the isolates respectively. Stimulation (93.4%), prompt and adequate treatment of clinical cases(77.6%) and sanitation(69.7%) were the only control measures noted to have been embraced adequately. Sanitation, use of individual towel, and stimulation were ranked as the most effective having been scored by 39, 24 and 23 respondents respectively. It is concluded that concerted effort by all stakeholders is paramount if the war against mastitis in Mathira Constituency is to be won.
Canine babesiosis caused by different babesia species is a protozoal tick-borne disease with worldwide distribution and global significance. This study was carried out to establish the seasonality and occurrence of canine babesiosis in dogs as observed in Nairobi area using data from the Small Animal Clinic, University of Nairobi over a period of twenty years (1989 – 2009). Thespatio-temporal distribution of the disease is also presented in relationship to age, sex and breeds affected. The warm and humid season played a key role in the occurrence and spread of the disease.The rainy (wet) season recorded a high incidence 54.90%compared to the dry season 45.10%. In the rainy season the occurrence of the disease was in the long rains (April to June) and short rains (October to December) at 52% and 48% respectively. This study concludes that high cases of babesiosis occur throughout all the seasons in the tropical and sub-tropical regions and therefore recommend good tick control strategies in all the seasons to reduce incidences. Keywords : Epidemiology, Babesiosis, Rains, Tropics
The lip histology of the adult farmed African catfish was investigated to fill the knowledge gap in available literature especially those from commercial concrete tanks. This microanatomy is important as the lip is the principal organ involved in prehension. The lip epidermis was lined by stratified squamous epithelium containing PAS and AB positive mucous cells, and occasional eosinophilic club cells. Some melanocytes were seen at the basal epithelial layer and subepithelium. Pectinate ligament of dense regular connective tissue was seen attaching the epithelium to the deep dermal dense regular connective tissue. This deep dense regular connective tissue was seen ventral to the subepithelial loose areolar connective tissue. In the lower lip, the core contained skeletal muscle fibres in varying directions, elastic cartilage, and bone. This core provides anchorage for the horny pad teeth. Abundant nerve fibres were observed in the deep connective tissue layers. No taste bud was observed. This microanatomical observation suggests an organ involved in prehension and tearing of feed; protractibility and protection but no gustatory function.Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, Pectinate ligament, mucous cells, club cells, Histology, lip function
This study was undertaken to determine the causes of mortalities in broiler and layer chicken in Nairobi and its environs during a 20 years period (1990-2010) and the trends of identified important disease between 2006 and 2010 among birds of different age groups. Data used was obtained from post-mortem examination reports in the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Nairobi. Records for a total of 1479 (577 broilers and 902 layers) chicken were analysed. The investigation showed that mortalities were highest in the 0 to 14 day old broiler chicks category at 44% (245), followed by 15 to 28 days old (29%), 29 to 42 days old (20%) and the lowest was in mature broiler chicken that were older than 42 days at 8.8% . The main causes of mortality among the broilers were omphalitis 23% (133/577), bacterial septicaemia 15.9% (92), Gumboro disease 14.7% (85), coccidiosis 11.8% (68) and ascites 9.4% (54). However, in the recent 5 years (2006-2010), ascites had caused the highest mortality among the broiler chicks. In the layer chicken, the highest mortality recorded was in birds between 0- 2 months at 42.8%(386/902) and the conditions causing significant mortality included Gumboro disease (23%), coccidiosis (15%), egg peritonitis (11%), bacterial septicaemia (11%) and omphalities (10%). Egg peritonitis was found to have been the highest cause of deaths in layers over the recent 5 years (2006-2010), mostly for birds older than 6 months. From this study it can be concluded that Gumboro disease, coccidiosis, bacterial septicaemia and Omphalitis were common diseases affecting broiler and layer chicken causing substantial losses due to mortalities. Additionally, ascites among broiler chicken and egg peritonitis among the layers caused high deaths.
The aim of this study was to assess the veterinary pharmaceutical products that have been registered in Kenya in order to determine the most common routes of administration and the type of marketed dosage forms. Registered veterinary products were first categorized by route of administration and then sub-categorized by the dosage form. Veterinary pharmaceuticals delivered by oral and parenteral routes were the most common, collectively accounting for 87.7% of all registered products. Topical, intramammary, intrauterine and ophthalmic routes accounted for 4.7%, 3.3%, 1.0% and 0.1% of the registered products respectively. Products that could be delivered by more than one administration route comprised 3.2% of the registered products. For most routes of administration, a variety of specific dosage forms were available. Dosage forms for oral administration included solids (53.4%) namely powders, tablets, boluses, freeze dried products, granules; liquids (46.3%) namely suspensions, solutions, syrups and semi-solids (0.3%) namely pastes. Topically administered dosage forms included solutions, sprays, ointments, creams, shampoos and powders, while those delivered via the intrauterine route included pessaries, solutions and suspensions. Keywords: dosage forms, administration route, veterinary pharmaceutical products, animal species, drug delivery.
The sensitivity and specificity of latex agglutination test (LAT) and Complement fixation test (CFT) for the field diagnosis of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia were determined using 90 bovine sera from various parts of the country. Of the ninety samples tested, 17 (18.9%) were positive in both tests, 2 (2.2%) were negative in both tests, whereas 65 (72.2%) were negative in CFT but positive in LAT and 6 (6.7%) were negative in LAT but positive in CFT. Overall, LAT was more sensitive than CFT as 67 (74.4%) of the samples were positive in LAT, whereas only 19 (21.1%) samples were positive in CFT. In contrast, CFT (25%) had a higher specificity than LAT (3%)
Chloroform extracts from two Kenyan medicinal plants ( Azadirachta indica / neem leaves, 500 mg/ kg, 250mg/kg and 125mg/kg and Physalis peruviana 1000mg/kg, 500mg /kg and 250mg/kg body weights) were analysed in viv o for trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma evansi . Experimental mice were injected with T. evansi KETRI 2450 and the drugs administered intraperitoneally at the onset of parasitaemia. Treated animals were then monitored for parasitaemia starting the following day after treatment. In comparison to suramin, the standard drug, extract of both A. indica leaves and P. peruviana were observed to express trypanocidal activity better than standard drug. High activity was found for extract of A. indica leaves (500mg/kg body weight) which completely cleared the parasites from infected mice by 24 days post treatment. Following this observation, it is recommended that future studies should address purification, structure eluci dation and biochemical characteristic of active components of Azadirachta indica leaves. This study has confirmed the hypothesis that some plants used in control of trypanosomiasis in Kenya have trypnocidal potential. Keywords : African trypanosomosis, Medicinal Plants, Anti-trypanosomal activity, In vivo model.
I conducted an extensive literature review on the effective tsetse and trypanosomiasis eradication method strategies in Africa in 2010 as i embarked on my research that coincided with the formulation of the Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Strategy for Kenya spearheaded by Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC), Kenya. Trypanosomiasis is a zoonotic disease transmitted mainly by tsetse flies, Glossina genus and affects humans and domestic animals. Tsetse flies are an important livestock disease pest infesting over 138,000 square kilometers in Kenya. Trypanosomes are protozoan blood parasites that cause animal and human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness Effective control methods are based on: • Parasite control which involves chemotherapy (use of trypanocidal drugs) to kill the trypanosomes inside the body of the animal. Regular active surveillance (screening) involving case detection and treatment of human /animal rypanosomiasis is necessary in parasite control. Systematic vector control which is done through spraying with insecticides, targets and traps technique and the sterile insect technique which targets to kill the tsetse fly in its natural habitats. • Exploitation of trypano-tolerant livestock through active selection for trypanosomiasis resistant traits in livestock and subsequent breeding. Over the past 100 years a whole range of control strategies for tsetse and trypanosomiasis control have been deployed in the Eastern, Central and West Africa including Kenya. Unfortunately, none of the methods or a combination of them has led to a lasting solution to the problem of the disease in humans and animals. Consequently, gains made are often lost mainly because land use practices cannot cope with rate of reclamation. Integrated use of the various control methods is the most certain strategy to guarantee trypanosomiasis eradication. Long term commitment rather than supporting crisis management by govern ments of endemic countries and international community to trypanosomiasis control/eradication programs is essential for sustainability since trypanosomiasis affects the poorest of African countries Key words : Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis; Parasite control; Vector control ; Trypanotolerant cattle; Kenya; Long term commitment;
Two, 8 week old piglets from a large-scale pig multiplication unit in Nairobi, Kenya was referred to Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology for necropsy and laboratory analyses. Clinically, the piglets expressed nervous signs comprising inco-ordination, tremors, nystagmus and paralysis. Out of 200 piglets, 20 developed the disease of which 12 died. Necropsy indicated a septicemia with suppurative meningitis and pneumonia. The cause of the problem was a hemolytic S. suis that was isolated from meninges and lungs tissues. The stress of weaning and mixing piglets from different sows predisposed to disease. The study showed that confirmatory diagnosis of neurological disorders in pigs is only possible when the clinical signs observed are combined with necropsy and laboratory analyses.
A 4 year old Great Dane was presented to the Small Animal Clinic with a history of chronic swelling of all the paws. This animal had been treated for over 3 months but the condition was progressively worsening. Clinical examination revealed all vital parameters were within normal ranges. There was gross swelling of all the paws, the skin was erythematous, hyperpigmented and hyperkeratotic. There was also diffuse purulent discharge from parts of the paws. Skin scrapings were positive for Demodectic mange. Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus sensitive to Gentamicin and Norfloxacin were isolated from swabs taken for culture and sensitivity. This report describes the case and the management of pododermatitis due to Demodicosis complicated with bacterial infection and emphasizes on the need for definitive diagnosis of such cases before any treatment is instituted. Keywords -Pododermatitis, demodicosis , management
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of solar radiation as a disinfection agent for EPEC contaminated water. Effectiveness of SODIS was determined using viable coliform counts on VRBA medium and inactivation was determined by a reduction in growth of the organisms. The results show that it is possible to achieve a complete decontamination of EPEC contaminated water without any danger of bacterial re-growth if the disinfected water is properly stored for up to a week. In this study, SODIS of EPEC contaminated water was successfully achieved to World Health Organization (WHO) recommended levels for safe drinking water after 8 hours of exposure to direct sunlight. Furthermore, the SODIS water remained safe for drinking without any signs of bacterial re-growth for more than 4 days.
A total of 2880 milk samples collected from the Kabete region of Kiambu County and its environs between 2001 and 2010 were submitted to the Central Veterinary laboratory, Kabete, and Clinical Studies Department Bacteriology laboratory of the University of Nairobi for isolation and identification of mastitis causing microorganisms. Of these, 2678 (93%) yielded microorganisms, whereas 202 (7%) had no demonstrable microbial growth. Staphylococcus species (31.7%), Escherichia coli (17.2%), Streptococcus species (10.3%), Klebsiella species (9.7%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.6%), Bacillus species (4.8%) and Arcanobacterium pyogenes (4.1%), were the most prevalent bacterial isolates, whereas the yeast, Candida albicans (6.3%) was the main cause of mycotic mastitis in this region.
Clinical epidemiology and pathogenesis of Cyclospora species was studied in 64 wild-trapped Cercopithecus aethiops at the Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya. The monkeys were screened for Cyclospora parasites using conventional microscopy, examination of hot Safranin stained faecal smears, Cyclospora specific antibody responses and molecular characterization of DNA following nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification. Efficacy of Trimethoprim-Sulphamethoxazole therapy for Cyclospora positive monkeys was evaluated. Experimental Cyclospora infections were established by oral inoculation. Oocyst shedding was used to confirm establishment and duration of infection. Gross and histopathological characteristics were described . The animals remained asymptomatic. Cyclospora parasites were identified in 41 (64%) of animals with infections mostly in male adults. Incubation period was 14-17 days, the duration of infection one to two months. A PCR product of 294 base pair was visualized, confirming Cyclospora species in the natural and experimental infections. Cyclospora specific antibody responses were recorded in positive monkeys. Response to treatment was evaluated by cessation Cyclospora oocyst shedding by D17 post-treatment and decreased Cyclospora specific antibody levels. Relapse infections occurred in 33% of the treated animals but responded to second TMP-SMX therapy. Pathological findings recorded were moderate haemorrhagic enteritis, parasites vacuoles in the enterocytes, mild lymph node enlargement, lymphocytic infiltrations, focal necrosis and granulomas in the liver. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that AGM may offer a suitable model for study of cyclosporiasis.
A retrospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence of ringworm in 15,176 dogs and 405 cats submitted to the Small Animal Clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nairobi between 2001 and 2010. Male dogs were 7177 (47.3 %) and females were 7999 (52.7 %), whereas those less than one year were 8662 (57.1%) and those above one year were 6514 (42.9 %). Of the total 405 cats presented to the clinic, 331 (81.7%) were under one year of age and 74 (18.3%) were over one year old, respectively.
A six year old Friesian cow from the Faculty farm was referred to the University of Nairobi’s Large Animal Clinic with an ulcerated and infected mass below the left ear. On its dorsal aspect was a smaller mass measuring 2 cm. in diameter. The growth was surgically excised, the tissues fixed in 10 % formalin and submitted for histopathological characterization. The histopathological findings of increased number of hair follicles and increased numbers of keratinized cells were consistent with a trichoepithelioma. The cow was subsequently euthanized due to regrowth of the tumor and sent for postmortem examination. This report describes the clinical, necropsy and histopathological characteristics of this rare type of tumor in cattle.
