Veterinary Science & Technology

Starch overfeeding is a simple mismanagement in modern dairy farming that causes complex problems in animal health and farm economics. The temporary increases in milk production makes over-modernized farmers mostly blind to oversee jeopardized prospects of longevity and long-run efficiency and profitability. In addition, over-focus on grain processing technologies keeps farmers from paying adequate deserving attention to optimizing dietary inclusion rate of starchy grains. This article establishes a global policy to help dairy farmers improve farm economics and minimize health issues in the postmodern era.

This study reports the surveyed list of medicinal plants used by Toda tribes of Nilgiri hills in ethnoveterinary practices. During the study, information about ethnoveterinary plants was obtained from Toda tribes by questionnaire method. The ethnoveterinary plants traditionally used by Toda tribes were collected and preserved as herbarium specimens by following the standard methods. The identification of plants was further authenticated with Botanical survey of India, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. During the survey, it was noted that ten plants were traditionally used by Toda tribes to treat various human and veterinary diseases such as basic first aid for food poison, snake bite, indigestion, physio-therapeutic treatment for bone fracture, antibacterial, antifungal activity over cuts and wounds, insect repellent, deworming in cattle, diarrhea, and increases cattle lactation. The information provided in this study would bring new insights on the development of environmental friendly, effective medicines and vaccines to control veterinary diseases in the future. In addition, this study may be highly useful to protect and conserve the endemic flora species of Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu.

Milk and dairy products are frequently implicated in food-borne infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and infected animals may contaminate bulk milk. In addition, human handlers, milking equipment, the environment, the udder and the teat skin of dairy animals are possible sources of bulk milk contamination. The main objective of this study was to identify and prioritize the sources of S. aureus contamination of bulk milk and raw milk cheese, and secondly to investigate the diversity of strains involved in bovine mastitis, and test the controversial hypothesis of cross-infection between humans and animals. Four farms manufacturing cheese from raw milk with a total of 135 dairy cows were selected. Bacteriological analyses were performed on quarter milk samples, swabs of udders and teats, the milking machine, bulk milk, cheeses, swabs taken from staff members’ hands and nasal cavities. Typing of S. aureus isolates was carried out using the Multiple Locus Variable Tandem Repeat Analysis [MLVA] including five genes [clfA, clfB coa, fnb and SAV1078] combined with the investigation of the presence of staphylokinase gene [sak]. A total of 537 isolates were genotyped. The genotyping results confirmed that most intramammary infections in each farm were due to a prevalent genotype. The majority of genotypes present on the teat skin were also isolated from quarter milk samples. These isolates are the main sources of the contamination of bulk milk and cheese. The identity of certain genotypes characterized in both humans and animals was sometimes associated with the presence of the sak gene and suggests the existence of cross-contamination and also the occasional involvement of human handlers in the contamination of milk and cheeses.

Many studies suggest significant genetic variation in the resistance of cattle and humans to infection with Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of zoonotic tuberculosis. The natural resistance associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1), encoded by the SLC11A1 gene, plays a key role in the immunological control of a broad spectrum of infectious agents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the SLC11A1 gene on bovine tuberculosis (bTB) susceptibility. We genotyped the SLC11A1 gene in 60 bTB-infected Holstein cows and 90 healthy control animals. The influence in the exon 4 and intron 4 regions of SLC11A1 genetic variations on bTB susceptibility was subsequently investigated by association analysis. Our finding demonstrated that the g.107117166A>G and g.107117369C>T polymorphisms of the SLC11A1 gene associated with bTB in Holstein cattle. The susceptibility of cattle with the g.107117166A>G genotype compared with the GG genotype was 3.40 (95% CI: 1.10-10.51; p=0.048) fold higher. The g. 107117166A>G SNP located in the exon 4 of the SLC11A1 gene and the functional consequence was missense. The deduced amino acid sequence for the protein product revealed an alanine to threonine conversion at position 96, which may affect initiation of protein synthesis and disrupt normal NRAMP1 function that protects animals against mycobacterial infection. The other susceptibility of cattle with the g.107117369C>T genotype compared with the TT genotype was 0.26 (95% CI: 0.12–0.56; p=0.001) fold lower. The g.107117369C>T polymorphism, located in the intron 4 of the SLC11A1 gene, may affect elements that control transcription and splicing of the NRAMP1 leading to affect pathophysiological characteristics in tuberculosis. This is the first report showing that the g. 107117166A>G and g.107117369C>T polymorphisms may contribute to SLC11A1-mediated bTB susceptibility.

A multi-dose injector to facilitate the immunization of horse by the ‘low dose, low volume multi-site’ protocol in antivenom/antitoxin production is described. With the device, 20 subcutaneous injections of about 0.1 ml of CFA emulsified immunogen around the horse’s neck could be easily accomplished within 3 minutes without any stress to the animal. Also described is an apron to prevent blisters and infection at the injection sites caused by the horse rubbing the neck against stable and soil. These devices have been found to be very useful to the investigator and in reducing the pain and suffering of the horses during immunization for the production high potency antivenom/ antitoxin.

Intestinal parasitic infections in dogs represent a major concern in developing countries as they are important definitive or reservoir hosts for several zoonotic parasites. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in stray dogs and domestic dogs in the municipality of la Lisa, in La Havana, between June 2014 to March 2015. A total of 97 faecal samples from 56 stray dogs and 41 household dogs were examined by parasitological concentration techniques. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 44.3% (95% CI: 33.9-54.7). Ancylostoma caninum (21.6%), Trichuris vulpis (16.5) and Giardia duodenlis (7.2%) were the most prevalent intestinal parasites identified in canine faecal samples, indicating an important faecal contamination of the analyzed area. There were no significant differences between the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and the kind of dog analyzed. However stray dogs were associated with a higher risk of infection as well as those older than 1 year old. This information may be useful in the implementation of effective prevention and control programmes by the National Group of Zoonosis in our country. Appropriate public health education for dog’s owners is necessary to reduce the risks of zoonotic infections

Bovine neosporosis is a parasitic disease of major concern in cattle industry worldwide. Although abortion is the more frequent clinical presentation, sporadic congenital clinical bovine neosporosis has been scarcely reported in newborn calves. Neospora caninum encephalomyelitis was diagnosed in two of 314 newborn calves submitted for necropsy and laboratory analysis between 2000 and 2014. The two new born calves had limb dysfunction, loss of conscious proprioception and ataxia. Protozoal multifocal nonsuppurative encephalomyelitis was observed and diagnosis was confirmed using serology, immunohistochemistry and PCR. This is the first report of clinical congenital neosporosis in calves from Argentina.

The current experiment was carried out to measure the effects of different concentrations of Fipronil on the immune response and health of Oreochromis niloticus through the evaluation of some immunological, biochemical and hematological parameters in addition to histopathological examination. Two hundred and forty Oreochromis niloticus were randomly distributed into four groups in triplicates. The first group served as a control. The second group exposed to 0.014 mg/which equal to 1/3 96 hr lethal concentration (96 hr LC50) for 4 days. The third and fourth groups were exposed to 0.0042 and 0.002 mg/l (1/10 and 1/20 96hr LC50) respectively for 10 weeks. The mortality rate in fish exposed to 0.014 mg/l of fipronil was 53%, meanwhile it was 21% and 8% in fish exposed to 0.0042 and 0.002 mg/l for 10 weeks respectively. Fish exposed to fipronil showed pale gills and nervous manifestations beside congestion and hemorrhages of different internal organs. There was a significant decrease in the level of Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and lysozyme with concurrent increasing in the serum nitric oxide level compared with the control group. Significant increase in serum level of AST, ALT and Cortisol in all the exposed groups to Fipronil compared to the control group. Liver and gills of fish exposed to Fipronil showed different histopathological alterations.

In the present study, karyotypes and chromosomes of two species of the families Pomphorhynchidae (Pomphorhynchus kashmirensis, Kaw 1941) and Neoechinorhynchidae (Neoechinorhynchus manasbalensis, kaw 1951) from intestinal tissues of Schizothorax and Cyprinus spps, were studied. Karyotypes of both the species is 2n=8 in which P. kashmirensis possess 4 submetacentric and 4 subtelocentric chromosome pairs whereas in case of N. manasbalensis first two pairs are metacentric, next two pairs are submetacentric and last 4 pairs are telocentric. The karyotype of N. manasbalensis seems to be more ancient, because its chromosomes are nearly telocentric. Such uniformity could be regarded as a plesiomorphic character of an ancestral karyotype.

A cross-sectional study was carried out from January up to March 2013 to determine the prevalence of bovine Trypanosomosis and apparent density of the tsetse flies and other biting flies in Sayonole district. The methods employed during the study were deploying trap for the collection of tsetse flies and buffy coat technique for parasitological study. About 43 traps were deployed for 48 hr for collection of tsetse fly. Among five species of tsetse flies commonly found in Ethiopia four of them G.m.submorsitans, G.pallidepes, G.f.fuscipes and G.tachinoides were captured in the study area. The overall apparent density of tsetse flies trapped was 13.01 flies/trap/day and female tsetse flies were foremost in number. Other biting flies caught were Stomoxys and Tabanus. Blood samples collected randomly from 599 cattles were assessed for trypanosoma species by buffy coat techniques. Trypanosoma species faced in the study area were Trypanosoma congolense 80(79.2%), Trypanosoma vivax 11(10.9%), mixed infection (Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax) 10(9.9%) with the overall Trypanosomosis prevalence of 16.9%. Aneamic cattles whichPacked Cell Volume less than 25% were mainly endangered of Trypanosomosis and significantly different P<0.05. Poor body condition, 4-5 years of cattle age, Male cattle were the most susceptible for Trypanosomosis and insignificantly associated P>0.05. Mean of Overall, Aparasitic and Parasitic Packed Cell Volume were 22.38 ± 5.022, 22.68 ± 4.966 and 20.86 ± 5.044 respectively and significantly different P<0.05.Generally, the study concludes that tsetse flies were an important vector for the epidemiology of bovine Trypanosomosis in sayonole district. Therefore, Vector and disease control and prevention methods and further studies should be undertaken to improve livestock production and productivity in the study area.

Beekeeping is a long-standing practice in the rural communities of Ethiopia and appears as ancient history of the country. A cross sectional study, in which 97 households were purposively included, was conducted in Haramaya district to assess the current beekeeping practices, production potentials and production constraints. Most (99%) of the beekeepers in the study area have owned only traditional hives and produce honey for home consumption. The beekeeping practice was dominated by male. A mild stimulant, Kate edulis (khat), is the main income source for the residents. Lack of adequate bee forages, poor market, lack of trained development agents and bee pests are the major problems facing the beekeeping sub sector in the area. The most important constraints of beekeeping in the study area were insecticides, birds and bee diseases (1st), Misuse of pesticides (2nd), Insecticides, birds and pesticides together (3rd), Pests, insecticides and predators (4th), lack of training (5th), shortage of bee forage (6th), shortage of water (7th) and absconding (8th). There are enormous opportunities to boost the production of honey in the villages. Thus, introducing modern beehives, limiting the use of pesticides in 'khat' production and awareness creation and assistance to empower women in the beekeeping activity are needed interventions.

The cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2009 to April 2010 to investigate factors associated with back sore in working donkeys in Ada'a district, central Oromia, Ethiopia. A total of three hundred eighty five (385) working donkeys with back sore were randomly selected and examined for risk factors back sore. The study revealed that the degree of sore was statistically associated (P<0.05) with sex, cause and age but insignificantly associated (P>0.05) with body condition score. Old age donkeys were extremely vulnerable 256 (66.5%) to the back sore, the highest frequency of mild degree of back sore 215 (55.8%) and medium body condition score donkeys 218 (56.6%) was observed. The location of the back sore was significantly associated (P<0.05) with body conditions but not associated (P>0.05) with sex, age and cause of the back sore. In the study improper harnessing and padding 198 (51.4%) followed by overloading and overworking 184 (47.8%) were the most cause of donkeys back sore. Type of back sore showed a significant (P<0.05) variation in donkeys with different risk factors sex, age, body condition score and cause of sore and erosion 169 (43.9%) was the most frequent followed by laceration 110 (28.6%) in the study area. The current study revealed that there is no variation (P>0.05) in the treatment offered to donkeys with different risk factors sex, age, cause of sore and body condition score. Majority of donkeys with back sore 339(88%) were not gained any treatment. This infers that back sore is the major health and welfare problems of donkeys that compromise performances of working donkeys of the study area.

Ethiopia contains one-fourth of Africa’s wildlife and is comprised of 277 terrestrial mammals, 861 birds, 201 reptiles, 65 species of amphibians, 150 freshwater fish, and over 1,225 arthropods with a high rate of endemism, but It’s Wildlife populations and their management are constrained by different factors. Habitat destruction, fragmentation, poaching, and lack of clear national and international policies, lack of commitment from government officials, scarcity of funds, expansion of large scale agriculture, illegal exploitation of natural resources, and lack of skilled staff are the main ones. In addition to these, Ethiopia’s Ecotourism potential is huge and unmatched but the sector is in its infancy stage due to lacks of effective and sound institutional framework and legal bases for ecotourism development in related to the less emphasis and recognition given to ecotourism and also lack of cohesiveness, integrity and cooperation among the stakeholder. Most of the national parks and protected areas of the country are under pressure from the surrounding communities in search of cultivable land, grazing land, or wood for different purposes. These seminar papers give a highlight, not only on the problems of wildlife management and ecotourism in Ethiopia, but also the economic contribution and prospects of wildlife management and ecotourism in Ethiopia. It also give an over view on ecology, ecosystem and biodiversity in the area.

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii that infects a wide range of animals, including man and birds. The objective of the study was to isolate T. gondii in pigs slaughtered at the Addis Ababa abattoir. A total of 290 sera were examined for T. gondii antibodies (IgG) using the Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) of which 111 pigs (38.28%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 32.65%-44.14%) were seropositive. Hearts of fifty seropositive pigs and two pooled pig heart samples (portion of 4 pig hearts per pool) were used for the study. For the isolation of T. gondii, 50 g heart tissue was ground, digested with acid-pepsin and inoculated intraperitoneally into mice (5 mice/sample). Viable T. gondii was isolated from hearts of 24 of 50 (48%; 95% CI: 33.7%-62.6%) seropositive pigs and from the two pooled seronegative pig hearts. All isolates were asymptomatic except one isolate from Bishoftu which was lethal for mice on day 28 post-inoculation. There was a perfect agreement (k=0.85) between DAT and microscopic cyst detection in mice. The study suggests that pork containing viable T. gondii is released onto markets for consumers. Therefore, enforcing hygienic measures, public education, provision of rendering facilities and further studies deserve consideration. This is the first report of isolation of viable T. gondii from pigs in Ethiopia.

Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease) is a chronic intestinal disease of ruminants and the disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). The disease has a prolonged pre-patent period and the clinical symptoms of the disease are apparent only during the later stages of the disease. However, the infected animal can shed the organism much before the clinical disease with the risk of spreading the disease to other susceptible animals. The disease manifestation is in four stages with each of these stages requiring a different diagnostic method. During the early stages of the disease Cell mediated immune response (CMI) is higher, and shedding of the organism and serum antibody response is absent or minimized. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response upon injection of Johnin purified protein derivative (Johnin PPD) in the skin of the animal and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) is the common CMI based tests for the diagnosis of paratuberculosis. As the disease progress, CMI response reduces and humoral response predominates with progressively increased shedding of the organism. ELISA based tests are commercially available to detect the MAP specific antibodies in serum or milk, and nucleic acid detection methods are used to identify the organism. However, all these CMI and humoral antibody based tests have advantages and disadvantages. It is essential to apply a combination of these tests to detect or rule out the disease in farms of endemic countries.