Incidence and risk factors of periparturient conditions in smallholder dairy cattle herds in Kikuyu Division of Kiambu District, Kenya

A study was carried out on 117 smallholder dairy cattle herds in Kikuyu Division of Kiambu District Kenya between April 2004 and December 2004 to determine the incidence of periparturient conditions (downer cow syndrome, dystocia, milk fever and retained placenta among others) in smallholder dairy cattle herds and the associated factors (plausible predictor variables; age, parity and management systems among others) from a total of 206 dairy cattle. Data were collected during farm visits by observation, interviews using semi-structured questionnaires and clinical examination of animals. The most common conditions encountered were downer cow syndrome (12.6 %), dystocia (17.0 %), mastitis (9.5 %), metritis (7.3 %) milk fever (13 %) and retained afterbirth (26.6 %). The overall cumulative incidence of the periparturient conditions was 67 %. Animals with milk fever were 5 times more likely to develop retained placenta (P=0.04) while those with a history of having developed retained placenta in a previous parturition were at 2 times more likely to develop retained afterbirth (P=0.05). Cows with milk fever were 9 times more likely to develop owner cow syndrome (P <0.001) while those that were not given supplemental feed in the last trimester were 4.8 times more likely to develop downer cow syndrome (P=0.007). Animals that had dystocia were 3.9 times more likely to develop metritis (P=0.02) and while those with retained placenta were 5.2 times more likely to develop metritis (P=0.03). In addition, animals with dystocia were 10.55 times more likely to develop postpartum haemorrhage (P=0.01) and 58.9 times more likely to develop injuries to the birth canal (P<0.01). From this study it can be concluded that downer cow syndrome, dystocia, mastitis, metritis, milk fever and retained placenta were the most common periparturient conditions in smallholder dairy cattle herds in Kikuyu division of Kiambu district

The changing global distribution and prevalence of canine transmissible venereal tumour.

BACKGROUND: The canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a contagious cancer that is naturally transmitted between dogs by the allogeneic transfer of living cancer cells during coitus. CTVT first arose several thousand years ago and has been reported in dog populations worldwide; however, its precise distribution patterns and prevalence remain unclear. RESULTS: We analysed historical literature and obtained CTVT prevalence information from 645 veterinarians and animal health workers in 109 countries in order to estimate CTVT's former and current global distribution and prevalence. This analysis confirmed that CTVT is endemic in at least 90 countries worldwide across all inhabited continents. CTVT is estimated to be present at a prevalence of one percent or more in dogs in at least 13 countries in South and Central America as well as in at least 11 countries in Africa and 8 countries in Asia. In the United States and Australia, CTVT was reported to be endemic only in remote indigenous communities. Comparison of current and historical reports of CTVT indicated that its prevalence has declined in Northern Europe, possibly due to changes in dog control laws during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Analysis of factors influencing CTVT prevalence showed that presence of free-roaming dogs was associated with increased CTVT prevalence, while dog spaying and neutering were associated with reduced CTVT prevalence. Our analysis indicated no gender bias for CTVT and we found no evidence that animals with CTVT frequently harbour concurrent infectious diseases. Vincristine was widely reported to be the most effective therapy for CTVT. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide a survey of the current global distribution of CTVT, confirming that CTVT is endemic in at least 90 countries worldwide. Additionally, our analysis highlights factors that continue to modify CTVT's prevalence around the world and implicates free-roaming dogs as a reservoir for the disease. Our analysis also documents the disappearance of the disease from the United Kingdom during the twentieth century, which appears to have been an unintentional result of the introduction of dog control policies.This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final version of this article has been published by BioMed Central: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/10/168

A case report of Schistosomus Reflexus in a Lamb

An adult Dorper ewe was presented to the Large Animal Clinic with dystocia. Reddish masses were seen hanging from the vulva of the ewe. Vaginalexamination revealed a deformed fetus in the pelvic cavity that left insufficient room for fetal manipulation. A tentative diagnosis of dystocia due to fetal deformity was made. The dystocia was relieved by cesarean section and a case of true schistosomus reflexus in a lamb was confirmed from physical examination of the defective fetus

Short Communication: A Typical Actinobacillosis in an Adult Friesian Cow

No Abstrac

A Typical Actinobacillosis in an Adult Friesian Cow

No Abstrac

Chronic Pododemodicosis in a Great Dane

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 , managemen

Clinical Presentation, Treatment and Management of Some Rabbit Conditions in Nairobi

A retrospective study carried from records at the Small Animal Clinic, University of Nairobi between the years 1999 to 2010 to investigate the occurrence of rabbit conditions /diseases found a total of fifty clinical cases to have been presented within the period. Annual variations in the number of cases presented were noted with the highest incidence of 54% in the year 2010. The incidence of infectious conditions were ear canker 36% (18/50), gastrointestinal conditions 22% (11/50), pneumonia 12% (6/50) and skin conditions at 6% (3/50). Single cases of Ehrlichiosis, vaginal prolapse and Vitamin E /selenium deficiency were observed. Cases classified under routine health checks accounted for 18% (9/50) of the conditions. The distribution of the diseases by breed was New Zealand White 40% (20/50), California White 20% (10/50), crosses 24% (12/50), Dutch 10% (5/50), and Kenya White 6% (3/50). More female cases were noted relative to males at 78% (39/50) and 22% (11/50), respectively. A similar prevalence was also observed as per the age group where the adults were more than the kittens (baby rabbits). The mortality rate of the cases was 26% (13/50). Pneumonia had the highest case fatality rate at 83% (5/6) followed by gastrointestinal conditions 36% (4/11) and ear canker 22% (4/18). The findings of this study revealed that ear canker, intestinal coccidiosis and pneumonia were the most prevalent conditions affecting rabbits in Nairobi, Kenya.Une étude rétrospective basée sur les dossiers de la Small Animal Clinic (clinique des petits animaux) de l’Université de Nairobi, effectuée entre les années 1999 et 2010 dans le but d’étudier la présence de maladies du lapin, a relevé un total de cinquante cas cliniques qui avaient été présentés durant cette période. Les variations annuelles du nombre de cas présentés ont été notées, l’incidence la plus élevée de 54% ayant été enregistrée en 2010. L’incidence des maladies infectieuses se présentait comme suit : le chancre de l’oreille 36% (18/50), les troubles gastro-intestinaux 22% (11/50), la pneumonie 12% (6/50) et les affections cutanées 6% (3/50). Des cas isolés d’ehrlichiose, de prolapsus vaginal et de carence en vitamine E / sélénium ont été relevés. Les cas classés au titre des examens médicaux de routine représentaient 18% (9/50) des maladies. La répartition des maladies par race se présentait comme suit: Blanc de Nouvelle-Zélande 40% (20/50) ; Blanc de Californie 20% (10/50); races croisées 24% (12/50); Néerlandais 10% (5/50); et Blanc du Kenya 6% (3/50). On a noté plus de cas chez les femelles par rapport aux mâles, respectivement 78% (39/50) et 22% (11/50). Une prévalence similaire a également été observée suivant le groupe d’âge où les adultes étaient plus nombreux que les lapereaux. Le taux de létalité était de 26% (13/50). La pneumonie avait le taux de létalité le plus élevé de 83% (5/6), suivie par les affections gastro-intestinales et le chancre de l’oreille respectivement avec des taux de létalité de 36% (4/11) et de 22% (4/18). Les résultats de cette étude ont révélé que le chancre de l’oreille, la coccidiose intestinale et la pneumonie étaient les maladies courantes affectant les lapins à Nairobi (Kenya).Mots-clés: Maladies des lapins; chancre de l’oreille; coccidiose; pneumoni

A Case of Trichoepithelioma in a Cow

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