Chronic cryptosporidiosis in Australian elapid snakes: control of an outbreak in a captive colony

An outbreak of chronic cryptosporidiosis resulting in hypertrophic gastritis occurred in a captive colony of Australian elapid snakes. Two species of the genus Notechiswere involved: Notechis ***ater(Black Tiger Snake) and Notechis scutatus (Eastern or Mainland Tiger Snake). The infection was eventually fatal in all 9 affected snakes. Typical histopathological findings of the stomach included mucosal thickening with cystic dilatation of gastric glands, moderate oedema and fibrosis of the lamina propria, and a mild to moderate patchy infiltration of inflammatory cells. Procedures implemented to contain the outbreak included the use of a formaldehyde-based disinfectant, prompt removal of faecal matter, uneaten and regurgitated food from enclosures, and examination of faecal specimens for Cryptosporidium oocysts and other pathogens.     

A field study of patterns of unobserved foetal loss as determined by rectal palpation in foaling, barren and maiden thoroughbred mares.

Records of 1,009 pregnancies in 574 foaling, barren and maiden Thoroughbred mares on a single stud farm, over a period of 12 years were examined. The farm is situated in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa, at an elevation of 1,800 m, and in an area of climatic extremes. Records of 604 pregnancies in 249 foaling Thoroughbred mares were examined. For these purposes, those pregnancies in which a mare conceived in the same breeding season during which she had foaled were considered as pregnancies in foaling mares. Pregnancy was confirmed by rectal palpation by a single experienced practitioner. Of the 604 pregnancies examined, conceptus attachment occurred in the horn opposite the previously gravid horn in 345 cases (57%), and in the previously gravid horn in 259 cases (43%; P less than 0.005). Unobserved foetal loss after pregnancy diagnosis amounted to 30 (9%) in the former group, while in the latter group (pregnancy established in the postgravid horn) 46 pregnancies were lost (18%; P less than 0.005). This study confirmed that conceptus attachment tends to occur in the uterine horn opposite the previously gravid horn in foaling Thoroughbred mares conceiving during the same season. A significantly higher incidence of foetal loss accompanied conceptus attachment in the postgravid horn. Of 242 pregnancies in 162 previously barren mares, 95 (39%) occurred in the left uterine horn and 147 (61%) in the right horn (P less than 0.005). The incidence of pregnancy failure in this group was 7%. The side of attachment did not affect the rate of loss. Evaluation of the records of 163 maiden mares revealed that conceptus attachment occurred in the left uterine horn in 58 (36%) pregnancies and in the right horn in 105 (64%) pregnancies (P less than 0.005), which is consistent with previously reported observations. Pregnancy failure was recorded in 4% of maiden mares. Side of attachment did not influence rate of loss in this group.     

A survey of reproductive success in South African Thoroughbred horse breeding from 1975 to 1999

The data and an analysis of the statistical summaries from the 'Return of Mares' of the General Stud Book of The Jockey Club of Southern Africa from 1975-1999 are presented. The total number of mares covered per season ranged from 7393 (1992) to 5180 (1995). The total living produce in the period surveyed was 95 317 foals. The categories of data examined include: the total number of mares covered per season; the total numbers and percentage of their living produce; the total numbers and percentage dead produce, 'slips' and foals born dead, barren and 'no return' mares; and the total number of live twins reported. The percentage live foals per season increased from 52 to 62% and the percentage barren and 'no return' mares declined from 35.50 to 28.40% over the period surveyed. The number of live twins reported showed a dramatic reduction from 156 to 5. These apparent improvements are ascribed to a combination of factors including advances in veterinary knowledge and technology. The findings are similar to those reported by similar surveys of national Thoroughbred populations from North America and Germany. There is an indication to broaden this annual survey by recording additional parameters more accurately reflecting reproductive efficiency rather than a cumulative annual total of live foals.