A survey on draught animal technology (DAT) in EN-Nhoud area,North Kordofan State,Sudan

Draught animal technology (DAT) can potentially play a central role in agriculture transformation for traditional farmers. This study surveyed the state of DAT in En-Nhoud area, North Kordofan State, Sudan in an attempt to have a clear view of the changes brought about by introducing the technology. The study followed the cross-sectional survey design. Farmers were selected from ten clusters (villages) and data were collected using questionnaires and face to face interviews with farmers in addition to group discussions with them and the different actors in the field. The results showed that farmers appreciate the role played by DAT, but they highlighted the need for further capacity building and technical backup. Harnessing issues are not well understood and applied by the farmers. The different actors involved in DAT in the area lack networking and coordination, and this reflected on the many problems and constraints faced by the farmers.     

Parasitological and clinico-pathological profiles in friesian cattle naturally infected with Theileria annulata in Saudi Arabia

Clinico-pathological profiles were studied in adult and young Friesian cattle naturally infected with Theileria annulata in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Sixty-two clinical cases of T. annulata infection in adult and young Friesian cattle were diagnosed during the period from August 1999 to July 2000. Symptoms observed were marked fever, swelling of superficial lymph nodes, inappetance, tachycardia, dyspnoea and weakness. The most prominent gross pathological features were jaundice, petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhages involving mucosal and serosal surfaces of many organs as well as body fat. A number of young and adult Friesian cattle undergoing lethal T. annulata infection developed lymphoma-like lesions in a manner similar to that of T. parva. The main histological findings were necrosis and severe lymphocytic infiltration. The spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches were devoid of typical lymph nodules.     

A Cross-sectional Study of Bovine Tuberculosis in Dairy Farms in Asmara,Eritrea

Bovine tuberculosis in dairy cattle in Asmara, Eritrea, was studied using a cross-sectional study to describe its prevalence and to identify factors associated with it. A total of 72 randomly selected herds were included in the study. The comparative intradermal tuberculin test was used for the diagnosis. Of 1813 individual animals tested, 14.5% were reactors. Thirty herds (41.7%) had at least one reactor but, by defining a reactor herd as any herd with two or more reactors, only 19 (26.4%) herds were classified as reactor herds. Based upon individual animal specificity of 98.5%, the calculated herd specificity was >99%. A multiple logistic model showed that the presence of exotic breeds was associated with a high risk (odds ratio = 5.70; 95% confidence interval 1.13–28.8). An increased risk was also linked to large herds. Keeping the animals always indoors reduced the risk, but could not be fitted to the model owing to empty cells.     

Parasitological and Clinico‐pathological Profiles in Friesian Cattle Naturally Infected with Theileria annulata in Saudi Arabia

Clinico‐pathological profiles were studied in adult and young Friesian cattle naturally infected with Theileria annulata in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Sixty‐two clinical cases of T. annulata infection in adult and young Friesian cattle were diagnosed during the period from August 1999 to July 2000. Symptoms observed were marked fever, swelling of superficial lymph nodes, inappetance, tachycardia, dyspnoea and weakness. The most prominent gross pathological features were jaundice, petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhages involving mucosal and serosal surfaces of many organs as well as body fat. A number of young and adult Friesian cattle undergoing lethal T. annulata infection developed lymphoma‐like lesions in a manner similar to that of T. parva. The main histological findings were necrosis and severe lymphocytic infiltration. The spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches were devoid of typical lymph nodules.     

Haematological profiles in pure bred cattle naturally infected with Theileria annulata in Saudi Arabia

The Abbott Cell Dyn 3500 haematology analyzer was employed to study haematological parameters in 41 adult and young Friesian cattle naturally infected with Theileria annulata in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Comparison was made with clinically healthy adult and young Friesian cattle. Changes in blood parameters in T. annulata-infected cattle indicated severe macrocytic hypochromic anaemia, panleukopenia, lymphocytopenia, eosinopenia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia but no reticulocytosis.     

In vitro evaluation of a custom cutting jig and custom plate for canine tibial plateau leveling

OBJECTIVE: To design and manufacture custom titanium bone plates and a custom cutting and drill guide by use of free-form fabrication methods and to compare variables and mechanical properties of 2 canine tibial plateau leveling methods with each other and with historical control values. SAMPLE POPULATION: 10 canine tibial replicas created by rapid prototyping methods. PROCEDURES: Application time, accuracy of correction of the tibial plateau slope (TPS), presence and magnitude of rotational and angular deformation, and replica axial stiffness for 2 chevron wedge osteotomy (CWO) methods were assessed. One involved use of freehand CWO (FHCWO) and screw hole drilling, whereas the other used jig-guided CWO (JGCWO) and screw hole drilling. RESULTS: Replicas used for FHCWO and JGCWO methods had similar stiffness. Although JGCWO and FHCWO did not weaken the replicas, mean axial stiffness of replicas after JGCWO was higher than after FHCWO. The JGCWO method was faster than the FHCWO method. Mean +/- SD TPS after osteotomy was lower for FHCWO (4.4 +/- 1.1 degrees ) than for JGCWO (9.5 +/- 0.4 degrees ), and JGCWO was more accurate (target TPS, 8.9 degrees ). Slight varus was evident after FHCWO but not after JGCWO. Mean postoperative rotation after JGCWO and FHCWO did not differ from the target value or between methods. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The JGCWO method was more accurate and more rapid and resulted in more stability than the FHCWO method. Use of custom drill guides could enhance the speed, accuracy, and stability of corrective osteotomies in dogs.