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Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
The fourteen editors of the Journal of the South African
Veterinary Association: 1927-2000 : information
Bigalke, R.D.
68-76
Abstract: The initial motivation for having an article on
the editors of the journal published in the year 2000 was to
commemorate the 70 years of the existence of the Journal of the
South African Veterinary Association. However, in conducting the
research required to write the article it was established that
the journal dates from 1927. Consequently the journal was about
73 rather than 70 years old at the end of 1999. During this
period it has been faithfully served by 14 editors. This article
contains a relatively brief description of the life histories, in
relation to their terms of office as editors, of these editors,
of whom 4 are still alive and actively pursuing their respective
careers
Canine ehrlichioses : an update : review article
Kelly, P.J.
77-86
Abstract: The development of molecular biology techniques
and methods for the isolation and growth of ehrlichias in tissue
culture have greatly facilitated the study of these organisms.
The available knowledge on ehrlichias is thus rapidly increasing
and in this review recent findings on the epidemiology,
transmission, clinical and laboratory signs of infection,
diagnosis and treatment of canine ehrlichioses are described.
Use of herbal remedies by small-scale farmers to treat
livestock diseases in central Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
: article
Masika, P.J.Van Averbeke, W.Sonandi, A.
87-91
Abstract: The use of herbal remedies by African farmers in
the treatment of livestock diseases was investigated using a
range of methods, including group interviews, structured
interviews, semi-structured interviews and participant
observation. The study was concerned mainly with the `why' and
`how' of herbal remedy use among African livestock holders
farming on communally-owned land in central Eastern Cape
Province. We found that the use of herbal remedies was still
widespread because these remedies were cheap, locally available
and convenient to administer. Farmers also used herbal remedies
because they did not have knowledge of conventional remedies or
found these too expensive and therefore used herbal remedies as a
last resort. Most of the farmers interviewed (73 %) had used some
form of herbal remedy. A small number of farmers did not use
herbal remedies at all. They rejected them because they had bad
experiences in the past or because they considered the practice
outdated and socially inferior. Often farmers used herbal
remedies in combination with conventional ones, but a substantial
number relied on herbal remedies only. Farmers obtained herbal
remedies principally by preparing their own or by purchasing from
herbalists. Different plant parts were used to prepare herbal
remedies in the form of infusions, decoctions, powders, pastes,
and juices from fresh plant material. Preparations were made from
a single plant or from a range of plants. Application of a remedy
was by different routes and methods, depending on the perceived
cause of the disease condition. Topical applications were used
for skin conditions, powders were rubbed into incisions, drenches
were common in the treatment of systemic conditions, and drops to
treat ears and eyes. We identified several aspects of herbal
remedy utilisation that could be subject to improvement, which
included the absence of standard dose regimes, the potential
toxicity of certain compounds present in plants used,
over-exploitation of the plant resource and a lack of interest by
the youth to learn the art.
Animal husbandry in Moretele 1 of North-West Province:
implications for veterinary training and research : article
Letsoalo, S.S.Krecek, R.C.Botha, C.A.J.Ngetu, X.
92-96
Abstract: Little is known regarding the keeping of animals
in the Moretele 1 area of North-West Province, South Africa.
Therefore, the status and dynamics of animal husbandry, as well
as a general assessment of the needs of animal owners in this
area were researched. Results of the investigation will be used
to make recommendations for improved veterinary extension
servicing in the area. Semi-structured interviews, based on
discussions with relevant stakeholders in the community and a
resultant problem conceptualisation, were undertaken at 266
randomly selected households in 51 villages and centres in the
area, after which the data was checked and verified before being
captured and analysed. The findings reveal that within the field
of veterinary extension delivery: 1) there is a demand for visual
and written extension material, 2) the extension services must
function where clients reside, 3) limitations in terms of
infrastructure are present and should be addressed through
partnerships and coordination amongst all the role-players in the
Moretele 1 area, and 4) cattle and poultry are the most important
of the animal species and should be the focus points of
extension, but the need to curb zoonotic disease should not be
disregarded. In this regard veterinary clinics, private
veterinarians and other role-players should be used in
partnership with extension workers. Lastly, the veterinary clinic
is regarded as helpful in many respects by the community
consulted and the service should be upgraded and made available
to a wider client base, especially where private and state
veterinarians are unavailable or too expensive in such
resource-limited communities.
Ultrastructural characteristics of ostrich eggshell: outer
shell membrane and the calcified layers : article
Richards, P.D.G.Richards, P.A.Lee, M.E.
97-102
Abstract: The ultrastructure of the eggshell of the
domestic hen has been well researched and structural studies of
other avian species, such as the ostrich, often base their
interpretation of egg shell structure on that of the chicken. In
the ostrich, lowered hatchability and hatching trauma may be due
to shell ultrastructural abnormalities. In the present study the
ultrastructure of the calcified portion, and the outer shell
membrane (OSM), of domesticated ostrich eggshells was
investigated using standard electron microscopic techniques.
Transmission and scanning electron microscopy studies
demonstrated intimate contact between cup-shaped structures
present on the OSMand the mammillary layer of the calcified
portion of the shell. The initial calcium carbonate growth of the
calcified shell was of a dendritic nature with nucleation sites
on the surface of the cup's contents. The dendritic growth gave
way to a more randomly-orientated, smaller crystallite growth
structure, which changed in formas it neared the vertical crystal
layer (VCL). The VCL is described as being both amorphous and
`crumbly' depending on the plane of fracture. These observations
suggest that firstly, initial calcification is contained within
the cups and is then directed outwards to formthe shell and that
secondly, the VCL may contain an evolutionary, calcified
cuticular layer. These observations serve as a baseline for
studies investigating the effect of shell structure and strength
on hatchling trauma and the influence of maternal diet.
An appropriate method for extracting the insect repellent
citronellol from an indigenous plant (Pelargonium graveolens
L'Her) for potential use by resource-limited animal owners :
article
Botha, B.M.McCrindle, C.M.E.
103-105
Abstract: Veterinary needs appraisals in rural, peri-urban
and urban areas have indicated a need for affordable and
accessible veterinary health care. It was also found that farmers
and animal owners used indigenous plants for treating animals. In
Africa, insects such as Culex, Culicoides and Stomoxys
maytransmit diseases, cause irritation to animals or prevent
wound healing. Insect repellents used topically are generally
safer and cheaper than insecticides. Using readily available
commercial sources of ethanol 43 %v/v (brandy and cane spirits),
it was shown that citronellol could be extracted from uncrushed
leaves of the indigenous shrub Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér.
Efficacy of extraction was compared to that using reagent grade
absolute ethanol. The peak concentration of citronellol was
achieved within 7 days of extraction and thereafter remained
constant for 4 months. Extraction methods using tap water and
cooking oil were not successful. The extraction was also less
successful when the leaves were crushed or macerated before being
placed into ethanol. Gas chromatography was used to monitor the
concentration of citronellol in the different extracts.
Coccidian oocyst and nematode egg counts of free-ranging
African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National Park,
South Africa : research communication
Penzhorn, B.L. 106-108
Abstract: Faecal specimens collected in the Kruger
National Park from 103 African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) up to
1 year old and 283 buffaloes older than 1 year were examined for
the presence of coccidian oocysts and nematode eggs. Most
specimens from animals older than 1 year had negative coccidian
oocyst counts. Positive specimens from younger animals had
significantly higher coccidian oocyst counts than those from
older animals. No such difference was found for nematode egg
counts.
Efficacy of a commercially available coryza vaccine against
challenge with recent South African NAD-independent isolates of
Haemophilus paragallinarum in chickens : research communication
Jacobs, A.A.C.Van der Werf, J.
109-110
Abstract: In South Africa the incidence of NAD-independent
Haemophilus paragallinarum isolation from clinical cases is
increasing. This study was carried out to test whether a
commercially available coryza vaccine (Nobilis ®
Coryza, Intervet International BV) could protect chickens against
challenge with recent NAD-independent isolates. SPF chickens were
vaccinated twice at 3 and 7 weeks of age and were challenged at 9
weeks of age with 5 different NAD-independent isolates of
serotype A or C-3. The results after challenge show that the
coryza vaccine induces good protection against challenge with the
different South African NAD-independent isolates of H.
paragallinarum, including serotype C-3.
Evaluation of two PCR-based procedures for typing
Clostridium perfringens : research communication
Dungu, B.Henton, M.M.Bosman, A.Fourie, H.Viljoen, G.
111-114
Abstract: Two polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based
procedures for typing Clostridium perfringens, which affects most
domestic animals, were compared and evaluated for efficiency as
substitute to the guinea-pig intradermal test routinely used in
our laboratory, namely a multiplex PCR and a protocol based on
the individual amplification of gene sequences specific for each
toxin. Reference isolates of C. perfringens types A, B, C and D
as well as cultures from clinical specimens were tested. The
sensitivity and specificity of the PCR was confirmed on reference
isolates. There was similarity in results on 43 of the 46 samples
typed by all 3 methods. Clear results were obtained by PCR on 5
clinical samples that showed either equivocal or weak skin
reactions in guinea-pigs. The multiplex PCR protocol, in
combination with the evaluation of bacterial growth, is a better
alternative to in vivo toxin typing, since C. perfringens can
only be incriminated as cause of a disease when it is present in
large numbers in the intestine.
A retrospective study on some reproductive parameters of
German shepherd bitches in Kenya : research communication
Mutembei, H.M.Mutiga, E.R.Tsuma, V.T.
115-117
Abstract: Data relating to reproductive parameters of
German shepherd bitches were collected from registered German
shepherd dog (GSD) breeders with information kept over a 15-year
period (1982-1997). The information obtained was verified using
the East African Kennel Club records. A total of 594 bitches from
280 breeders were recorded. >From these, 798 heats were
observed, 594 of which were used for breeding, resulting in 3592
puppies. The mean age at puberty was 519.0 ± 41 days. Heats
occurred throughout the year, although significantly (P <
0.05) higher and lower incidences were observed in October and
April respectively. Pregnancy significantly (P < 0.01)
increased interoestrous interval, which was 247.8 ± 99.6 and 183
± 52 days among bred/pregnant and non-bred bitches respectively.
Most bitches in oestrus (73.7 %) were bred, and breeding was
carried out throughout the year, with a distribution closely
related to that of heat incidence. Subsequently, whelping
occurred throughout the year, and 95.5 %of the bitches that were
mated whelped. A mean gestation period of 60.6 ± 5.1 days was
observed. The mean litter size was 6.4 ± 0.4 puppies, and did
not differ significantly between months. The preweaning losses
were low, with 2.3 % stillbirths, 0.9 % culls and 11.4 %
mortalities.
Von Willebrand's disease in the German shepherd dog :
clinical communication
Lobetti, R.G.Dippenaar, T.
118-121
Abstract: Two litters of Germanshepherd dogs were
evaluated for a haemorrhagic tendency that was characterised by
excessive bleeding from the umbilicus at birth, haemorrhage and
haematoma formation at vaccination, excessive bruising, and
lameness due to haemarthrosis. Platelet counts, clotting times
and Von Willebrand's factor (VWF) assays were assessed in all
dogs. Factor VIII determination was performed in 1 puppy and its
parents. Based on the clotting times and VWF assay, 6 puppies (4
male and 2 female) showed type I Von Willebrand's disease (VWD),
5 (4 male and 1 female) possible type II VWD, and 4 were
unaffected. One puppy with possible type II VWD had very low
factor VIII activity; its sire had a normal factor activity,
whereas the dam was in the low-normal range. This article reports
type I and possible type II VWD in 2 related litters of German
shepherd dogs, the latter being rare in German shepherd dogs.
Progressive atrophic rhinitis in a medium-scale pig farm in
Kiambu, Kenya : case report
Wabacha, J.K.Maribei, J.M.Thaiya, A.G.Munyua,
S.J.M.Karanja, D.N.Njoroge, E.M.
122-124
Abstract: Forty-two pigs in a herd of 117 displayed
various clinical signs of progressive atrophic rhinitis. The main
signs included sneezing, coughing, lachrymation, serous to
muco-purulent nasal discharge, and nasal bleeding in 1 pig. Three
pigs had lateral deviation of the snout, while 4 had
brachygnathia superior with obvious deformation of the face. Four
acutely affected weaner pigs appeared weak, while the 7
chronically-affected pigs appeared smaller than their apparently
unaffected penmates of the same age. Treatment of the acutely
affected pigs with long-acting oxytetracycline at 20 mg/kg body
weight intra-muscularly, repeated once after 7 days, reduced the
severity but did not clear the sneezing from all the pigs.
Fifteen pigs were slaughtered 2 months after the clinical
diagnosis was made. The carcasses of the chronically affected
pigs were about 15 % lighter than those of the apparently normal
pigs of the same age and from the same pen, which translated to a
loss of 921.00 Kenya shillings per pig (US$13.7). Diagnosis of
progressive atrophic rhinitis was confirmed by sectioning the
snouts of randomly selected slaughtered pigs with obvious
deformation of the snout. Sections were madeat the level of the
1st/2nd upper premolar tooth. Varying degrees of turbinate
atrophy, from mild to complete, were noted. Histopathology of the
turbinates revealed metaplasia of nasal epithelium and fibrosis
in the lamina propria.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in a dog :
case report
Mohr, A.J.Kirberger, R.M.
125-130
Abstract: An 8-month-old Labrador retriever bitch was
evaluated for sudden-onset, progressive abdominal distension.
Physical examination revealed an exaggerated inspiratory effort,
severe ascites, bilateral jugular vein distension, and
hypokinetic femoral arterial pulses. Thoracic auscultation
detected tachycardia with muffled heart sounds, without audible
cardiac murmurs. Thoracic radiographs identified severe right
ventricular enlargement and pleural effusion. The
electrocardiogram was consistent with incomplete right bundle
branch block or right ventricular enlargement. Echocardiography
demonstrated severe right ventricular and atrial dilation,
secondary tricuspid regurgitation, and thinning and
hypocontractility of the right ventricular myocardium. Left heart
chamber sizes were slightly decreased, with normal left
ventricular contractility. Adiagnosis of arrhythmogenic right
ventricular cardiomyopathy was reached, based on the
characteristic clinical, electrocardiographic, radiographic and
echocardiographic findings, and the exclusion of other causes of
isolated right ventricular failure. Treatment effected good
control of clinical signs, until acutely decompensated congestive
right heart failure led to euthanasia after 4 months.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is a
well-described clinical entity in humans, and has previously been
documented in 3 male dogs. The condition is characterised by
progressive fibro-adipose replacement of right ventricular
myocardium, while the left ventricle usually remains unaffected.
It should be considered a differential diagnosis in any young dog
presented with isolated right heart failure, syncope, or
unexplained ventricular tachyarrhythmias. This article reports
the 1st case of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
in a female dog, and highlights its echocardiographic features.
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