Significant veterinary research on the dromedary camels of Kenya: Past and Present

Abstract The dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) is extremely well adapted to hot and arid environments owing to its unique anatomical, physiological and behavioural features. Dromedaries do not only survive where other domestic species do not, but they also carry out work and produce valuable food products for the benefit of people. Dromedaries offer the only means of utilizing large areas of arid lands in many countries around the globe. The camel´s feed and water needs are special. They browse and graze on vegetation that is inaccessible or unpalatable to other lifestock and many other animals, and they have a remarkable tolerance to dehydration. The virtues of the dromedary camels in Kenya and their importance in food security of pastoralist people have been more and more recognized over the last decades. Pastoralism is replacing agro-pastoralism in some areas of sub-Saharan Africa due to climate change. In areas where the growing period will be too short and no longer support crop cultivation, pastoralism may become the only sustainable source of food production. A compilation of significant research done on the dromedaries of Kenya during recent decades is reviewed, particularly regarding veterinary aspects of the most prevalent diseases that have been and are being studied. Trypanosomosis (surra) has received most attention, followed by camelpox, mastitis and milk hygiene, camel calf losses, sarcoptic mange and other skin diseases, helminthosis, haemorrhagic septicaemia and respiratory infections

Some important Ectoparasites of Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) and Llama (Lama glama)

Abstract The most important ectoparasites infesting/infecting alpaca (Vicugna pacos) and llama (Lama glama) are reviewed. The clinical manifestation and the diagnosis of the different parasitic infections/infestations of Sarcoptes scabiei, Chorioptes sp., Psoroptes sp., Damalinia (Bovicola) breviceps and Microthoracius spp. are described as well as therapies against them. Demonstrating S. scabiei and Chorioptes sp. with available diagnostic methods are challengingly often due to the relatively small numbers of mites that may elicit clinical disease. In Chorioptes sp. infestations it has been shown that alpacas are often subclinically infested. Predilection places are between the toes and in the axillae. The variable response to modern acaricidal treatments emphazises the need of more evidence based studies. The lack of lanolin in the fibres of South American camelids may explain the poor response to topical applications of modern insecticidal/acaricidal products used on other animals. Pharmacokinetic studies of such substances are limited. Few products are licenced although several products that are used and are available for other animals are used off-label. Applying a combination of systemic and topical treatments may produce optimal results. The need to apply treatments against the mange mites more frequently and with higher dosages of some of the acaricidal substances than recommended for other livestock is indicated. Lice infestations are often easier to deal with. Systemic treatment should be applied against suckling lice and topical against the biting lice. All animals in affected herds should be treated at the same time and stringent biosecurity measures following treatment is recommended to avoid re-infections/infestations

Sarcoptic mange in the Scandinavian wolf Canis lupus population

Background: Sarcoptic mange, a parasitic disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, is regularly reported on wolves Canis lupus in Scandinavia. We describe the distribution and transmission of this parasite within the small but recovering wolf population by analysing 269 necropsy reports and performing a serological survey on 198 serum samples collected from free-ranging wolves between 1998 and 2013. Results: The serological survey among 145 individual captured Scandinavian wolves (53 recaptures) shows a consistent presence of antibodies against sarcoptic mange. Seropositivity among all captured wolves was 10.1 % (CI. 6.4 %–15.1 %). Sarcoptic mange-related mortality reported at necropsy was 5.6 % and due to secondary causes, predominantly starvation. In the southern range of the population, seroprevalence was higher, consistent with higher red fox densities. Female wolves had a lower probability of being seropositive than males, but for both sexes the probability increased with pack size. Recaptured individuals changing from seropositive to seronegative suggest recovery from sarcoptic mange. The lack of seropositive pups (8–10 months, N = 56) and the occurrence of seropositive and seronegative individuals in the same pack indicates interspecific transmission of S. scabiei into this wolf population. Conclusions: We consider sarcoptic mange to have little effect on the recovery of the Scandinavian wolf population. Heterogenic infection patterns on the pack level in combination with the importance of individualbased factors (sex, pack size) and the north–south gradient for seroprevalence suggests low probability of wolf-to-wolf transmission of S. scabiei in Scandinavia

A previously unidentified Chorioptes species infesting outer ear canals of moose (Alces alces): characterization of the mite and the pathology of infestation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>During the past decade, <it>Chorioptes </it>mites occupying the outer ear canals have been a common finding at routine necropsies of moose (<it>Alces alces</it>) in Sweden, but neither the taxonomy of the mites nor lesions from the infestation have been investigated. In this study, the mites are characterized by morphological and molecular techniques, and the histopathology of the skin of the outer ear canal is described.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>External auditory meatuses from 53 necropsied moose were examined for the presence of <it>Chorioptes</it>, and samples from outer ear canals were taken for histopathological and microbiological examination. A proportion of the mites from each moose was identified to species. The DNA was extracted from mites from three moose, and their ITS-2 sequences were determined; these sequences were compared phylogenetically to sequences from other <it>Chorioptes </it>taxa.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>Chorioptes </it>mites were found in 43 (81%) of the 53 moose. The mites had morphological and genetic characteristics distinct from those of <it>C. texanus </it>and <it>C. bovis</it>, the two species generally accepted within the genus. Morphology also did not argue for a diagnosis as <it>C. crewei</it>, <it>C. mydaus </it>or <it>C. panda</it>. On histopathology, lesions were characterized by a hyperplastic perivascular to interstitial dermatitis with epidermal hyperkeratosis and crust formation. Dermal inflammatory infiltrates were composed of mixed T- and B-lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages, whereas eosinophils were notably uncommon. <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>was grown from the infested epidermis of five of 14 examined moose.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Chorioptes </it>mite infestation was frequently detected in the outer ear canals of moose in Sweden. The mites were evidently pathogenic, being associated with inflammatory lesions of the external auditory meatus. Our studies indicate infestations with a previously undescribed <it>Chorioptes </it>species.</p