Mange-mite infestation in small ruminants in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Mange-mites are economically important ectoparasites of sheep and goats responsible for rejection or downgrading of skins in tanneries or leather industries in Ethiopia. The objective of this systematic review was to compute the pooled prevalence estimate and identify factors influencing mange-mite prevalence in sheep and goats at national level based on the available research evidence. Articles on mange-mite infestation of small ruminants in Ethiopia were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Google scholar and African journals on-line. The review was based on 18 cross-sectional studies carried out between 2003 and 2015 in four administrative states of Ethiopia. Accordingly, the pooled prevalence estimate in a random effects meta-analysis was estimated to be 4.4% (95% CI 3.0, 6.3) although there were evidence of a substantial amount of between-study variance (I2 = 98.4%). In subgroup and multivariable meta-regression analyses, animal species, agro-ecology and administrative state were found to have significant effect on the prevalence estimate (P < 0.05) and explained 29.78% of the explainable proportion of the heterogeneity noted between studies The prevalence was found to be higher in goats in lowland agro-ecology. Region wise the highest estimate was calculated for Amhara (6.4%) followed by Oromia (4.7%), Tigray (3.6%) and Southern Nations, Nationalities and People Region (SNNPR) (3.1%). Significant difference was noted between Amhara and SNNPR. The study further revealed that mites of the genus Sarcoptes, Demodex and Psoroptes are the most prevalent mites infesting small ruminants in Ethiopia. Valid studies were lacking from five regional states. As some of these regions are known for their large small ruminant population, further studies are warranted to produce better picture of the infestation at a national level. Meanwhile, the need for monitoring the ongoing control intervention is suggested

Antinociceptive effects of three escalating dexmedetomidine and lignocaine constant rate infusions in conscious horses.

Dexmedetomidine and lignocaine IV are used clinically to provide analgesia in horses. The aims of this study were to investigate the antinociceptive effects, plasma concentrations and sedative effects of 2, 4 and 6 µg/kg/h dexmedetomidine IV, with a bolus of 0.96 µg/kg preceding each continuous rate infusion (CRI), and 20, 40 and 60 µg/kg/min lignocaine IV, with a bolus of 550 µg/kg preceding each CRI, in 10 Swiss Warmblood horses. Electrically elicited nociceptive withdrawal reflexes were evaluated by deltoid muscle electromyography. Nociceptive threshold and tolerance were determined by electromyography and behaviour following single and repeated stimulation. Plasma concentrations of drugs were determined by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Sedation was scored on a visual analogue scale. Dexmedetomidine increased nociceptive threshold to single and repeated stimulation for all CRIs, except at 2 µg/kg/h, where no increase in single stimulation nociceptive threshold was observed. Dexmedetomidine increased nociceptive tolerance to single and repeated stimulation at all CRIs. There was large individual variability in dexmedetomidine plasma concentrations and levels of sedation; the median plasma concentration providing antinociceptive effects to all recorded parameters was 0.15 ng/mL, with a range from 600 ng/mL. Only nociceptive tolerance to repeated stimulation increased at 20 µg/kg/min lignocaine. Lignocaine at 40 µg/kg/min and dexmedetomidine at 4 µg/kg/h were the lowest CRIs resulting in consistent antinociception. Lignocaine did not induce significant sedation

Disease-related and overall survival in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease, a historical cohort study

Objective: To analyse the effect of treatment method and other risk factors on survival in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD).Methods: A historical cohort study of 333 dogs presenting with CCLD at two University Hospitals (2011-2016) was performed. Signalment, history, treatment and follow-up details were retrieved from medical records, dog owners and referring veterinarians. Treatment groups were defined; conservative or surgical with either lateral fabellotibial suture (LFS) or osteotomy procedures. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were applied to evaluate risk factors for disease-related and overall survival.Results: Sixty-five dogs were conservatively managed, 125 treated with LFS and 143 with osteotomy techniques. At follow-up (autumn 2018), 164 dogs (49.3 %) were alive and 169 (50.7 %) were dead. Both final Cox proportional hazards models included variables for treatment, age, weight and hospital. In addition, the final disease-related model included a variable for orthopaedic comorbidity, while non-orthopaedic comorbidities and a time-varying effect for age on a linear scale were included in the overall survival model. Treatment method was found to have an effect on both disease-related and overall survival and surgical treatment was associated with a lower hazard than conservative treatment.Conclusion: Survival in dogs with CCLD is influenced by treatment strategy, comorbidities, age and weight