83 research outputs found
A new era for the Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
No abstract available.http://www.jsava.co.zaam2023Companion Animal Clinical Studie
University of Pretoria vets lead revival of India’s extinct cheetah
University of Pretoria (UP) academics are playing a lead role in driving the reintroduction of wild cheetahs into India as part of efforts to ensure the survival of the species. With the global cheetah population in decline, the Project Cheetah initiative is part of a long-term plan to increase the numbers of free-ranging (wild) cheetahs. Despite significant efforts thus far, the global authority on the status of the natural world, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, estimates that there are fewer than 7 000 wild cheetahs in the world.News article with colour photos about what's happening at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria.Originally published on the University of Pretoria's websiteab202
Editorial : veterinary dentistry and oromaxillofacial surgery in wild and exotic animals
No abstract available.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-sciencedm2022Companion Animal Clinical StudiesParaclinical Science
Assessment of a portable lactate meter for field use in the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)
Blood lactate is a predictor of mortality in critically ill humans and animals. Handheld lactate
meters have the potential to be used in the field to evaluate the condition of severely injured
rhinoceroses but have not been compared with laboratory-based methods. Agreement between
a handheld lactate meter and a laboratory method was assessed, as was the stability of rhino
blood lactate in the anticoagulant sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate (fluoride/oxalate). Blood
samples were obtained from 53 white rhinos that had been immobilised for management
reasons. Lactate was measured by means of a handheld meter using whole blood in heparin
(WBHEP), whole blood in fluoride/oxalate (WBFO) and fluoride/oxalate plasma (PFO). Results
were recorded in both blood (BL) and plasma (PL) modes and compared to an established
laboratory method for measuring plasma lactate. To assess the stability of lactate over time,
blood lactate in fluoride/oxalate was measured on the handheld meter at intervals for up to
91 h. Agreement was best using WBFO in PL mode, with small bias (-0.16), tight 95% limits of
agreement (LOA) (-1.46, 1.14) and a Pc (95% CI) of 0.97 (0.92, 0.99). The agreement was improved
for all sample types when using the PL mode compared to the blood lactate (BL) mode. Blood
lactate was stable in fluoride/oxalate for 91 h, with a mean change from baseline of 0.15 (-0.178,
0.478) mmol/L (mean, 95% CI). The handheld meter was found to be suitable for field use in
white rhinos but provided more reliable results with the device in PL mode. Furthermore, rhino
blood lactate was found to be stable in fluoride/oxalate for as long as 3 days.The Zebra Foundation of the
British Veterinary Zoological Societyhttp://www.ojvr.orgam2018Companion Animal Clinical StudiesParaclinical Science
New insights into Samango monkey speciation in South Africa
<div><p>The samango monkey is South Africa's only exclusively forest dwelling primate and represents the southernmost extent of the range of arboreal guenons in Africa. The main threats to South Africa's forests and thus to the samango are linked to increasing land-use pressure and increasing demands for forest resources, resulting in deforestation, degradation and further fragmentation of irreplaceable habitats. The species belongs to the highly polytypic <i>Cercopithecus nictitans</i> group which is sometimes divided into two species <i>C</i>. <i>mitis</i> and <i>C</i>. <i>albogularis</i>. The number of subspecies of <i>C</i>. <i>albogularis</i> is also under debate and is based only on differences in pelage colouration and thus far no genetic research has been undertaken on South African samango monkey populations. In this study we aim to further clarify the number of samango monkey subspecies, as well as their respective distributions in South Africa by combining molecular, morphometric and pelage data. Overall, our study provides the most comprehensive view to date into the taxonomic description of samango monkeys in South Africa. Our data supports the identification of three distinct genetic entities namely; <i>C</i>. <i>a</i>. <i>labiatus</i>, <i>C</i>. <i>a</i>. <i>erythrarchus and C</i>. <i>a</i>. <i>schwarzi</i> and argues for separate conservation management of the distinct genetic entities defined by this study.</p></div
Ketamine-medetomidine compared to tiletamine-zolazepam-medetomidine for immobilisation of semi-captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)
The immobilisation time and cardiopulmonary effects of ketamine-medetomidine (KM) and tiletamine-zolazepam-medetomidine
(TZM) were compared in semi-captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Seven healthy adult cheetahs were included in a randomised
prospective crossover study. Each cheetah was immobilised on two occasions by remote injection, once with a combination
of ketamine (4.93 ± 0.75 mg/kg) and medetomidine (0.038 ± 0.003 mg/kg) (KM) and once with tiletamine-zolazepam (1.16 ±
0.12 mg/kg) and medetomidine (0.039 ± 0.002 mg/kg) (TZM). Time to safe approach, characterised by absent responses to an ear
flick and tail tug, was recorded as the immobilisation time. Following immobilisation, cardiopulmonary parameters were recorded,
and an arterial blood gas sample analysed. Data is reported as mean ± SD and compared using a general linear mixed model
(p < 0.05). Immobilisation times were no different between combinations, 11.4 ± 5.7 minutes for KM and 13.2 ± 4.6 minutes for
TZM (p = 0.528). Systolic blood pressure was 218 ± 22 mmHg for KM and 210 ± 28 mmHg for TZM (p = 0.594). There was moderate
hypoxaemia with both combinations with arterial oxygen partial pressure of 58.4 ± 6.6 mmHg for KM and 61.3 ± 4.2 mmHg for
TZM (p = 0.368). Haematocrit was higher with KM (40.7 ± 2.5) than TZM (35.8 ± 2.8, p = 0.007). There were differences in electrolytes,
with TZM resulting in higher serum potassium (4.3 ± 0.2 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and glucose (11.8 ± 2.9 mmol/L, p = 0.039) than
KM. Both combinations provided acceptable immobilisation for field use, although severe hypertension was a consistent finding.
Supplementation with oxygen is recommended with both combinations.http://www.jsava.co.zaam2023Companion Animal Clinical Studie
Agreement of high-definition oscillometry at two cuff locations with invasively measured arterial blood pressures in anaesthetised cheetahs
OBJECTIVES : To evaluate the agreement between high-definition oscillometry (HDO) used on the metatarsus or tail base with invasive arterial blood pressures measured in the dorsal pedal artery in anaesthetised cheetahs.
STUDY DESIGN : Prospective clinical study.
ANIMALS : A group of 13 captive adult cheetahs.
METHODS : Cheetahs were immobilised with medetomidine (32–45 μg kg–1) and tiletamine/zolazepam (0.93–1.39 mg kg–1) administered intramuscularly, and anaesthesia was maintained with either isoflurane in oxygen or continuous propofol infusion. Invasive blood pressure was measured via a 20 gauge intra-arterial catheter in the dorsal pedal artery in the metatarsus and used as a reference method for pressures simultaneously estimated using HDO on the contralateral metatarsus and tail base. Bland–Altman plots (for repeated measurements) and criteria defined by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) were used to compare agreement according to the anatomical location of the cuff, the anaesthetic maintenance agent and magnitude of the blood pressure.
RESULTS : A total of 147 paired measurements were obtained with HDO on the metatarsus and 135 on the tail. Agreement with invasive pressures was better when HDO was used on the tail (rather than on the metatarsus) with all ACVIM criteria being met. Mean bias (a positive bias meaning that HDO overestimated the invasively measured pressures) ± standard deviation of differences for systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures were –7.0 ± 13.9, 4.2 ±12.1 and 4.6 ±11.2 mmHg, respectively, for HDO on the tail, and –11.9 ±15.1, 2.8 ±16.5 and 2.1 ±13.2 mmHg, respectively, for HDO on the metatarsus. Agreement was better during isoflurane anaesthesia than propofol, and at lower blood pressures than at higher.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE : When used on the tail base of anaesthetised cheetahs, HDO met the ACVIM validation criteria for a noninvasive device, as compared to invasively measured pressures in the dorsal pedal artery.https://www.journals.elsevier.com/veterinary-anaesthesia-and-analgesia2023-02-26hj2023Paraclinical Science
Anaesthetic management of two Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) cubs for fracture repair
This case series describes the anaesthetic management of two sibling Bengal tiger (Panthera
tigris tigris) cubs that were found to have spontaneous femur fractures due to severe nutritional
secondary hyperparathyroidism. Both cubs received a combination of medetomidine
(25 μg/kg) and ketamine (4 mg/kg) intramuscularly and were maintained with isoflurane
in oxygen. An epidural injection of morphine (0.1 mg/kg) and ropivacaine (1.6 mg/kg)
was administered to both tigers, which allowed a low end-tidal isoflurane concentration to
be maintained throughout the femur fracture reduction operations. Both cubs experienced
profound bradycardia and hypotension during general anaesthesia, and were unresponsive
to anticholinergic treatment. Possible causes for these cardiovascular complications included:
drug pharmacodynamics (medetomidine, morphine, isoflurane), decreased sympathetic tone
due to the epidural (ropivacaine) and hypothermia. These possible causes are discussed in
detail.The Wildlife
Group (http://www.vets4wildlife.co.za) of the South African
Veterinary Associationhttp://www.jsava.co.zaam2014mn201
Responses to reduced feeding frequency in captive-born cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) : implications for behavioural and physiological stress and gastrointestinal health
DATA AVAILABILITY: The data presented in this study are available in Supplementary Materials.Unnatural diet composition and frequent feeding regimes may play an aetiological role
in the multiple diseases prevalent in captive cheetahs. This study investigated the responses of
captive-born (hand-reared) cheetahs (n = 6) to a reduced feeding frequency schedule distinguished by
offering larger quantities of food less frequently. The study cheetahs were fed four once-daily meals
per week during the 3-week treatment period, followed by a 3-week control period in which they
were fed two daily rations six days a week. Total weekly food intake was maintained throughout the
study. Variations in behaviour, faecal consistency score (FCS), and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite
concentration were measured. Less frequent feeding resulted in higher FCS (p < 0.01) and locomotory
behaviour (p < 0.05) among the studied cheetahs. Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentration
demonstrated an initial acute stress response to the change in feeding frequency (p < 0.05) and
subsequent adaptation. The results of the FCS analysis suggest that the more natural feeding pattern
could have benefited the studied cheetahs’ gastrointestinal health without a significant behavioural
or physiological stress response overall to the change in feeding frequency.The Doctoral Research Bursary of the University
of Pretoria.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/animalsCentre for Veterinary Wildlife StudiesCompanion Animal Clinical StudiesHistorical and Heritage StudiesMammal Research InstituteParaclinical SciencesZoology and Entomolog
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