Pets $ Small animals

12/03/2024

Dog head pressing

12/03/2024

05/01/2024

Health
Study: Pork sold in Nairobi, neighbouring towns has harmful parasite
Wednesday, January 03, 2024
pork
Sliced raw pork. People living in and around Nairobi are at risk of contracting a parasite from unprocessed pork slaughtered in Kiambu County. Photo credit: Shutterstock
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By Hellen Shikanda & Mercy Chelangat
What you need to know:
The study further details that despite the risk of infection in Nairobi, the demand for pork in the country is on the rise.
They estimate that Kenyans consume about 400 tons of pork per year or about 0.4 kilograms per person
About one million people living in and around Nairobi are at risk of contracting a parasite from unprocessed pork slaughtered in Kiambu County.

This is according to a study conducted by scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in collaboration with the University of Nairobi's Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology and the University of Liverpool's Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences.

The results, published in the journal MDPI, show that for every 100 pigs sampled by the researchers, about 34 of them had the harmful parasite called Toxoplasma gondii.

Sometimes written as T. gondii, the study shows that this parasite is a public health risk with likely dire consequences, especially for people with weakened immune systems and pregnant mothers.

"This study has shown that slaughtered pigs have evidence of infection with T. gondii and that small farm size and increased live weight are important risk factors," the study says.

The researchers explain that since pigs are intermediate hosts for the parasite if Nairobi residents eat either raw or undercooked pork, they are likely to be infected.

Read: White is just as dangerous as red meat

However, the study shows that when people with stronger immune systems are infected with the parasite, they are less likely to be severely affected by the infections.

"However, people with weakened immune systems will have serious health complications. These individuals include people with HIV and AIDS, cancer patients, diabetics, pregnant women, the elderly and the very young," the study explains.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that most people may not be aware of an infection because its impact on humans generally comes without symptoms.

"Some people who have toxoplasmosis may feel like they have the "flu" with swollen lymph glands or muscle aches and pains that can last for a month or more," explains the CDC.

Some of the possible health complications that the parasite results in; include encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), ocular (eye) abnormalities, mental disorders and secondary respiratory infections.

The study shows that the infection of the parasite shows different ways of getting into the pig and consequently into humans who consume raw or undercooked pork.

The pig's environment, water and feed are susceptible candidates for infection.

"Exposure to the parasite is likely to increase with the length of time animals are reared in the farm environment, where they are likely to come into contact with infective oocysts," they explain.

"The decreasing prevalence in farms with more than 100 animals may suggest that biosecurity and hygiene practices can be improved in these farms, but there is a need for further research on the exposure of pigs to T. gondii at the farm level in Kenya to gain insights into the contextual risk factors and design appropriate mitigation strategies," the study shows.

The study explains that farms that have larger herd sizes but ensure proper hygiene, rodent control systems, and adequate supply of clean water with uncontaminated feed have better outcomes.

"Further investigation of on-farm practices that predispose pigs to T. gondii infection, such as the presence of cats and appropriate biosecurity practices, is suggested in order to provide context-appropriate recommendations to farmers," they explain.

The study further details that despite the risk of infection in Nairobi, the demand for pork in the country is on the rise. They estimate that Kenyans consume about 400 tons of pork per year or about 0.4 kilograms per person.

"The increasing demand for pork suggests that despite overtime, there may be an increased risk of exposure to T. gondii through pork consumption if mitigation measures are not put in place," the study said.

Read: Study reveals meat sold in Kenya is contaminated with superbugs

"Mitigation measures are needed in this value chain, including improved on-farm biosecurity and public health education for consumers, especially those in high-risk categories," they added.

Another study, published in the journal Cell, shows that about 3 in 10 people in the world are affected by this parasite.

They explain that in pregnant mothers, the impact of the parasite should a mother become infected is determined by the age of the unborn baby.

"While the likelihood of mother-to-child transmission is highest in the third trimester, the severity of congenital disease is inversely related to gestational age. In the first trimester, infections generally result in the most severe clinical symptoms in newborns, including spontaneous abortion or stillbirth," the Cell study explains.

The study also explains that once someone is infected, there is a likelihood that there will be a long-term effect, especially behavioural, on such people.

The study shows that they are susceptible to conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disorder, epilepsy and schizophrenia.

01/12/2023

Set-up

12/07/2022

Egg Shell Quality Problems and Causes:

1. Pale shelled Egg
The degree of brown color in the egg shell is determined by the quality of deposited pigment in the cuticle.

Causes:
Infectious bronchitis, Bird age (older hen), High stress in the flock, Egg Drop Syndrome, Use of chemotherapeutic agents (i.e. sulfonamides and nicarbazin)

2. Pink Eggs
The egg appears to be pink or lilac due to the association between the cuticle and an extra calcium layer.

Causes:
Stress, Excess calcium in the feed

3. Dirty Eggs
If the egg shell is stained by f***s, it is important to avoid feed ingredients which cause wet and sticky droppings.

Causes:
Wet droppings, Large amounts of
indigestible compounds in the feed, Poor gut health, Electrolyte imbalance/saline water

4. Blood Stained Eggs
Usually from pullets in early lay, eggs are contaminated by smears of blood from a pr*****ed cloaca, vent pecking, or cannibalism.

Causes:
Overweight pullets, Pullets coming into lay Sudden, large increases in day length, Poor hygiene: Cage, trays, belt pick-up system

5. Shell less Eggs
Laid without a shell layer, these eggs are protected only by the shell membrane.

Causes:
Immature shell gland, Disease: Avian Influenza, NDV, infectious bronchitis, Egg Drop Syndrome, Inadequate nutrition: Calcium, phosphorus, manganese, or vitamin D3

6. Soft shelled Eggs
Laid with an incomplete shell, only a thin layer of calcium is deposited on the shell membrane.

Causes:
Excessive phosphorus consumption, Heat stress, Bird age (older hen), Saline water, Mycotoxins

7. Cracks
This problem includes hair line cracks, star cracks, or large cracks that result in a hole in the shell.

Causes:
Heat stress, Saline water, Bird age (older hen), Inadequate nutrition:
Calcium and vitamin D3, Mycotoxins

8. Corrugated Eggs
Characterized by a very rough, corrugated surface, these eggs are produced when plumping is not controlled and terminated.

Causes:
Heat stress, Saline water, Bird age (older hen), Poor nutrition, especially calcium and vitamin D3
Mycotoxin

9. Wrinkled Eggs
Eggs with thinly creased and wrinkled surfaces.

Causes:
Stress, Infectious bronchitis
Defective shell gland, Overcrowding

10. Pimpled Eggs
Classified by small lumps of calcified material on the egg shell, the severity of pimples depends on the foreign material present during the calcification process.

Causes:
Bird age, Strain of bird
Inadequate nutrition

11. Calcium Coated Eggs
An extra layer of calcium can be seen all over the egg or on just one end.

Causes:
Defective shell gland, Disturbances during
calcification, Excess calcium in the diet

12. Calcium Deposits
These eggs are classified by white, irregularly shaped spots deposited on the external surface of the shell.

Causes:
Defective shell gland, Disturbances during calcification
Excess calcium in the diet

13. White Brown Speckled
With smaller speckles than calcium deposits, these eggs may be laid down before or after the cuticle is formed.

Causes:
Defective shell gland, Disturbances during calcification
Excess calcium in the diet

14. Mottled Shells
When placed in front of a light, the translucent areas appear mottled or glassy as a result of the shell’s failure to dry out quickly.

Causes:
High humidity in the shed, Disease and mycotoxins, Manganese deficiency, Overcrowding

15. Body Checked Eggs
The egg is cracked in the shell gland pouch and then repaired before lay.

Causes:
Incorrect lighting, Stress, Bird age (older hen), Overcrowding

16. Broken and Mended
A diagonal break occurs during formation and is mended again before lay.

Causes:
Stress during calcification

17. Misshapen Eggs
These eggs are too small or large, round instead of oval, or differ from normal shapes.

Causes:
Immature shell gland, Disease: Avian Influenza, NDV, infectious bronchitis, Egg Drop Syndrome, Stress, Overcrowding

18. White Banded Eggs
If two eggs come into contact with each other in the shell gland pouch, normal calcification is interrupted. The first egg retained in the pouch will have an extra layer of calcium seen as the white band marking.

Causes:
Stress, Changes in lighting

19. Slab sided Eggs
The second egg that enters the shell gland pouch is not as complete as the first egg and is flattened where the eggs made contact.

Causes:
Stress, Changes in lighting, Disease

Kaptich vet pharmacy

05/07/2022

Whenever thinking of poultry farming, Seven things you must need to know:

1. Market research

It is very important to critically look at the demand that needs to be met. Is there high demand for table eggs, out grower chicken or broiler meat? Most start-up farmers go by what a friend or relative or neighbouring farmer is doing and hope to reap the benefits.

It is important that you take your time to talk to clients or potential customers and listen to them. Do a survey on restaurants, hotels, open air or takeaway eateries, supermarkets and delis and collect as much data as possible.

Ask questions about seasonal trends of products that you intend to bring into the market. Sometimes your assumptions may not match your survey results or outcome, so be ready to change your original plans and make new decisions.

2. Farm location

A poultry farm can be located on any dry land anywhere in the country as it is not dependent on any weather patterns. However, the ideal location would be outskirts of urban or peri-urban cities where there is ready market for both meat and eggs. Construct your farm where there is access to all weather road, away from riparian land that experience occasional flooding and landslide.

3. Housing system

The most common housing system in this country is deep litter, where the entire floor is covered by wood shaving and the other equipment like nest boxes, feeders and drinkers are centrally located. It is best suited for all types of birds and conforms to animal welfare requirement.

The free-range type is common for Sasso chicken with a bit of housing at night and scavenging in an open enclosure. In organic farming, the chickens are most of the time on free range scavenging and are on restricted commercial feed with no use of antibiotics and any additive.

4. Demand for building

The most ideal house in this region must be open sided rectangular shaped structure, with roof made of iron sheet or locally available waterproof material. The long side of the house must be on an East-west orientation to reduce direct sunlight on the chicks.

Side walls should be 2-3 feet high made of bricks, iron sheet or block and the rest covered by wire mesh and chicken netting at 6-7 feet high. The floor could be concreted or compacted with red soil.

5. Choice of breed and supplier

If you want to keep commercial layers, choose type of breed which is hardy with low mortality rate, fast growth rates, high peak production, long peak period and good persistence (like Bovans brown). If it is for both meat and egg production, look for a breed of high feed conversion efficiency, and of good tasty and tender quality meat (like dual purpose Sasso).

6. Optimal health protection

Threats to your flock will include but not limited to protozoal and parasitic diseases, bacteria, yeast and mold and viral infections. You will need good rearing conditions that include proper brooding, temperature control, ventilation and humidity as well as quality water and adequate feed supply all the time.

Biosecurity is pivotal to your success; the premises must be highly sanitised within and around the site with limited flock visits to only authorised personnel. Vaccination schedule must be followed to the letter and must be chosen based on efficacy and administered professionally.

7. Record keeping

Anything that cannot be counted cannot be measured. Most farmers ignore the value of good record keeping. Feed being the highest production cost in poultry production, means that it must be weighed to the level of grammes fed/bird/day, and weight sampling must be done on weekly basis to establish production efficiency.

27/06/2022

Eye Worm (Thelazia):

These worms live in the conjunctival sac (eyelid) of the eye in many species of livestock, in many countries.

Cattle, sheep, horses, camels, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, birds, and humans can be affected.

The most common species is , which parasitizes cattle and sheep. The worms are up to 2cm long and are thin and white.
One or both eyes may be affected.

1.𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:

Various species of fly, in which the worm has part of its life cycle, are responsible for the spread of the worm from one animal to another.

The fly has a preference for eye secretions which are ideal for transmission. The fly ingests the larvae which become infective in 2-4 weeks.

These larvae are mechanically deposited in the host's eye by the fly during feeding. Development of sexually mature worms takes about 1-4 weeks in cattle.

The worm lives under the eyelids, in the conjunctival sac and under the third eyelid. The worm has a rough cuticle (skin) which causes irritation and inflammation to the cornea.

2.𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬:

1.Excessive production of tears which may contain pus.

2.Avoiding sunlight.

3.Inflammation of the thin membrane covering the white of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid (Conjunctivitis).

4.Cloudiness of the cornea and sometimes ulceration and piercing of the cornea.

5.Lack of response to treatment with antibiotics.

3.𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬:

1.Close inspection of the eyes will reveal small white worms swimming in the conjunctival fluid. Several animals should be examined as it will not be possible to see worms in every animal. Even if the worms can be seen with the naked eye, a veterinarian should be consulted to confirm their presence.

4.𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐲𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

The condition is less severe than Pink Eye. Control of the fly is not practical.

5.𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥

1. Using an eye wash containing a local anaesthetic and wash the worms out of the eye. A mixture of 10 ml of 2% local anaesthetic solution with 40-50ml of clean water makes the eye wash. 5-10 ml is put onto the eye and after waiting for about 2 minutes, the worms are washed out of the eye using clean cold water.

2. Certain systemic dewormers such as Levamisole at 5 mg/kg under the skin and Ivermectin and Doramectin both at 0.2 mg/kg SC are effective treatments.

3. Pour-on forumlations of Ivermectin and Doramectin, delivered on the back of the animal to achieve a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg are also highly effective.

4. Treatment is also possible with topical application of Levamisole or topical Ivermectin. Bother are given as a 1% aqueous solution directly into the eye. If the eye discharge is cloudy or white it may be advisable to put an antibiotic ointment into the eye following removal of the worm or following the administration of dewormers.

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