Septicemia associated with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in a West African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis subsp. tetraspis).

A 17-year-old male captive West African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis subsp. tetraspis) died 1 month after fighting with a penmate. Abrasions were present on the head and mandible. Necropsy revealed a vegetative valvular lesion of the left atrioventricular valve, miliary foci of necrosis in the endocardium and myocardium, multiple duodenal and rectal ulcers, and serous atrophy of body fat. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was isolated in pure culture from lung, liver, and kidney. Gram-negative bacilli were seen histologically in the valvular lesion and in foci of necrosis in the myocardium, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidney, and intestine. Septic thrombi in multiple tissues, arteritis, and pneumonia were additional histologic lesions. Findings indicated that the crocodile died from acute S. maltophilia septicemia, although the primary site of infection was not determined. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is ubiquitous in the environment and is recognized as an important nosocomial pathogen in humans.     

Fatal pentastomiasis in captive African dwarf crocodile hatchlings (Osteolaemus tetraspis).

Six eggs from a captive African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) nest were artificially incubated. Two abnormal hatchlings with incomplete absorption of their yolk sacs died within 48 hr of hatching. No parasites were detected grossly or histologically in either hatchling. The remaining four apparently healthy hatchlings died without clinical signs at 3 wk of age, 1 wk after being fed live wild-caught fish and commercially raised goldfish. Necropsy revealed multiple white small wormlike organisms within the lungs, liver, and gastrointestinal tract of all four hatchlings. Histopathologic cross sections suggested that pentastomiasis was the cause of death, and whole parasites were identified as Sebekia mississippiensis. This infection was probably contracted by ingestion of live fish intermediate hosts infected with nymphal parasites. Avoiding the use of infected live fish or untreated fish products can prevent mortality of hatchling crocodilians caused by S. mississippiensis within zoological collections.     

Radiographic investigation of dystocia in the West African dwarf goat

Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs were obtained from 30 West African dwarf goats with dystocia. The pelvic size was estimated from the ventrodorsal radiographs as the product of the transverse and conjugate diameters of the pelvic inlet. Radiography clearly showed the number of fetuses present, their presentation and position. The posture was clearly defined in singletons but not in twins and triplets. The commonest abnormal fetal disposition was bilateral flexion of the forelimbs with the head in the pelvic canal. The major maternal abnormality was small pelvic area. Of 19 dead fetuses, 13 showed radiographic signs of intrauterine death including free intracavity gas, tissue emphysema, abnormal fetal disposition and overlapping cranial bones. It was concluded that radiography is useful during examination of goats with dystocia especially small sized goats that cannot be manipulated easily.     

A comparative study of peste des petits ruminants and Kata in West African dwarf goats

Summary Experimental infections of West African Dwarf goats with Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Kata were indistinguishable clinically and pathologically. Goats convalescent from Kata resisted infection with rinderpest virus. Heterologous stimulation of secondary antibody response was observed.

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Sumario Las infecciones experimentales de cabras enanas de Africa Occidental con la peste de los peque?os ruminantes y con Kata fueron clinicamente y patoligicamente indistinguibles. Cabras que convalecieron de Kata resistieron a la infección con el virus de la peste bovina. Se observó una estimulación heteróloga de la respuesta inmunitaria secundaria.

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Résumé L’infection expérimentale de chèvres naines de l’Afrique de l’Ouest par le virus de la peste des petits ruminants (PPR) et par le virus du Kata a montré que les deux maladies ne présentaient pas de différences cliniques ni pathologiques. Des chèvres convalescentes de Kata ont résisté à l’infection par le virus de la peste bovine. Une stimulation hétérologue de la réponse d’anticorps secondaires a été observée.

     

The immune respone of West African dwarf goats to chicken red blood cells

West African dwarf (WAD) goats were immunized with chicken red blood cells and their antibody response assessed by direct haemagglutination. Kids of about 1 month old developed antibody titres (log₂ 5.63±0.69) which were significantly lower (P<0.001) than those of adults (log₂ 7.78±1.12) and 3 month old kids (log₂ 7.40±0.89). The antibody titres of the latter did not differ significantly from those of adults. It is suggested that this early immune maturity may play a role in the hardiness of WAD goats and in their relative resistance to helminth and protozoan infection as compared with local sheep.     

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae-induced septic arthritis in a calf

A 14-week-old Holstein heifer with a 48-hour history of left tarsocrural joint effusion was referred for evaluation when lameness developed 24 hours after needle aspiration was attempted at the farm. Results of synovial fluid analysis were compatible with diagnosis of septic arthritis, and bacteriologic culture of the fluid yielded Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. The calf responded to tarsocrural joint lavage and penicillin G administration.     

Effect of Ctenocephalides felis strongylus infestation on the performance of West African dwarf sheep and goats

Summary

A study of Ctenocephalides fells strongylus and of its effect on the performance of sheep and goats was made.

Fleas showed more affinity for sheep than goats. There was a high concentration between lamb and kid mortality and the degree of flea infestation. The clinical effects of flea infestation are highlighted. The factors responsible for flea infestation and its control are discussed.     

Replacement effects of Panicum maximum with Ficus polita on performance of West African dwarf goats

The replacement value of Ficus polita for Panicum maximum was evaluated on 32 female post‐weaned West African dwarfs goats. Ficus polita was fed with P. maximum at different proportions of 0:90 (F. polita:P. maximum), 30:60, 60:30 and 90:0 constituting diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Each diet was supplemented with 10% cassava peels. Dry matter intake per kg metabolic weight of goats was not significantly (p > 0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments. However, crude protein intake per kg metabolic weight was higher (p < 0.05) in animals fed 60% and 90%F. polita than those fed sole P. maximum diet. Daily weight gain of goats fed diet 3 (60%F. polita) was higher (p < 0.05) (27.3 g) than those fed diets 4 (18.9 g), 2 (20.8 g) and the control (6.6 g). Dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities were higher (p < 0.05) in goats fed 60%F. polita than those fed other diets, except for DM digestibility which was statistically similar to diets 2 and 4 but higher than those fed diet 1 without F. polita. Organic matter and CP digestibility were highest (72.0 and 65.7% respectively) in animals fed 60%F. polita. Nitrogen retention of goats fed 60%F. polita (diet 3) was higher (p < 0.05) than that obtained with other diets. The results suggest that feeding combination of F. polita and P. maximum at ratio 60:30 respectively has associative effects that can enhance growth rate, feed intake, nutrients digestibility and nitrogen utilization for goat production during dry season in the tropics.     

Effect of trypanocides on jugular concentration of Trypanosoma congolense in the West African dwarf sheep

The effects of various trypanocides on parasitaemia was investigated in sheep experimentally-infected with Trypanosoma congolense strain 58/98. Intravenous injection of Berenil at the height of the first parasitaemic wave increased jugular parasite concentration by 12 and 16 times at the 9th and 20th minute post-treatment, respectively. With Pentamidine, maximum counts were 5.0–8.6 times zero-time concentration during the same periods. Peak effects of Samorin, Novidium and Ethidium were observed between the 60th and 90th minutes after drug administration and were 9.5, 6.3 and 3.5 times initial values, respectively. Injection of trypanocides resulted in double peaks of parasitaemia in which the second was usually higher than the first, except with Antrypol and Germani which had no significant effect on parasitaemia. The amplitude, but not the onset of the increase in parasitaemia in sheep, was found to be related to the therapeutic efficacy of the trypanocides in the treatment of Trypanosoma congolense infection in rats.Animals treated with the diamidines (Berenil and Pentamidine) exhibited apparent parasitologic cure of infection in sheep two to four days after treatment. However, administration of any of the drugs one week after the first treatment resulted in flushing of cryptic trypanosomes into the jugular vein and counts as high as 7.63 × 10³ μl^?1 were observed within ten minutes with Berenil. It is suggested that besides their therapeutic use, the diamidines may be of value in the parasitologic diagnosis of sub-patent trypanosomiasis due to Trypanosoma congolense.     

Intra-articular therapy to treat septic arthritis in a dog

A 6 yr old female spayed Labrador retriever was examined for severe pain and a nonweight-bearing right forelimb lameness due to swelling and wounds with direct communication into the elbow joint. The medical management of β hemolytic Streptococcus septic arthritis with needle lavage of the joint, systemic and local antibiotic therapy, and analgesic therapy is described. This case provides information on the need to address septic arthritis in the dog as an emergency situation and the treatment with intra-articular medication. Earlier medical management for septic joints could be considered in dogs to help decrease the long-term complications that can result from septic arthritis.     

Fertility of the West African dwarf goat in its native environment following prostaglandin F2-alpha induced estrus

The fertility of ten West African Dwarf goats in which oestrus was induced with PGF2 alpha was comparable to that of the five West African Dwarf goats in the control group. Performance indices as determined by duration of oestrus and length of gestation were not affected. Similarly the birth weight of kids was not significantly influenced. However, treated goats were superior to controls when the interval from commencement of experiment to oestrus is considered, although there was no difference between the two treated groups of goats (5 mg vs 10 mg PGF2 alpha). Results showed that PGF2 alpha could be an important tool in oestrus synchronization and thus in controls of the reproductive performance of the West African Dwarf goats under humid lowland tropical environmental conditions.     

Bacterial septic arthritis in 19 dogs

OBJECTIVE: To provide information on the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of bacterial septic arthritis in dogs. DESIGN: A retrospective study examining case records of all dogs diagnosed with bacterial septic arthritis at Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital between 1988 and 1997. RESULTS: Nineteen dogs were diagnosed with bacterial septic arthritis, which most commonly occurred after surgery involving the stifle joint. Haematogenous infection occurred in only five dogs. Diagnosis was based on clinical signs, joint fluid analysis, radiography, microbiology and/or response to treatment. Chronic lameness was the most common problem at presentation. Analysis of joint fluid invariably revealed large number of nucleated cells, which consisted primarily of neutrophils. In all but one case the neutrophils were nondegenerate. Culture of joint fluid was frequently successful. Staphylococcus spp were the most common bacteria isolated. Treatment involved antimicrobial drugs only in five dogs. Other dogs received antimicrobial drugs in combination with surgical procedures such as joint lavage and removal of nonabsorbable suture material (eight), arthrodesis (two) or amputation (one). Two dogs were euthanased. Most dogs responded well to treatment and were free of signs of septic arthritis at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Bacterial septic arthritis may often be mild and manifest as chronic lameness. Analysis of joint fluid will detect an inflammatory arthropathy but the presence of toxic neutrophils should not be relied on as an indicator of sepsis. Culture of infected joint fluid is likely to be successful if antimicrobials are not given prior to collection and if the sample is inoculated into enrichment broth. Treatment should involve antimicrobial drugs, open-joint lavage and removal of joint prostheses if the infection is associated with previous surgery.