Veterinary Medicine

Bats with Aspergillus from Kubah National Park. 2008.

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

A preliminary survey of chiropterans (bats) with potential zoonotic fungi was conducted as part of the Sowell-UNIMAS... more A preliminary survey of chiropterans (bats) with potential zoonotic fungi was conducted as part of the Sowell-UNIMAS Expedition 2006. This survey was conducted at Kubah National Park, Matang, Sarawak from 14th to 16th August 2006. The main aim of this survey was to document variety of fungal isolates from bats external (ears) and internal (saliva and anal) swabs. All of the fungi species were subjected to both macroscopic and microscopic observations to characterize their morphology. Out of 23 species of bats observed, 13 (56.5%) species were found to contain 17 fungi isolates of the genus Aspergillus from five subgenera, five sections and six species. The fungi isolates were Aspergillus restrictus, A. sydowii, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. clavatus and A. japonicus. The highest numbers of isolates recorded was for A. restrictus with six isolates followed by A. fumigatus and A. sydowii with two isolates respectively. Where as, A. niger, A. clavatus and A. japonicus each recorded with one isolate only. Aspergillus fumigatus was the first record isolated from bats the samples (n = 64) from Sarawak. It was reported that this isolate is a pathogenic and thermophilic (able to grow up to 65°C) isolate which was found to be on a lesion near ear opening of Hipposideros cervinus. Further work should be done to discover potential mycoflora in wildlife mammals.

Ectoparasites of small mammals in Malaysia. 2010

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Ixodes granulatus and Leptotrombidium deliense are of known medical importance.

http://www.tm.mahidol.ac.th/seameo/2011-42-4/06-4984.pdf

A total of 16 animals comprising 5 species of hosts were caught and examined for ectoparasites. The hosts examined... more A total of 16 animals comprising 5 species of hosts were caught and examined for ectoparasites. The hosts examined were Maxomys rajah, Maxomys whiteheadi, Leopoldamys sabanus, Lariscus insignis and Tupaia glis. Of these hosts, 9 genera, consisting of 14 species of ectoparasites were extracted. Three species of ticks (Ixodidae), 7 species of mesostigmatid mites (Laelaptidae), 3 species of chiggers (Trombiculidae) and 1 species of listrophorid mites (Listrophoriidae) were identified. The infestation rate of ectoparasites observed ranged from 12.5% to 62.5%. Among the ectoparasites found, Ixodes granulatus and Leptotrombidium deliense are of known medical importance.

Keywords: ectoparasites, small mammals, wildlife reserves, Peninsular Malaysia.

A Madinah, A Fatimah, A Mariana and MT Abdullah

Escherichia coli in wildlife from disturbed habitat in Sarawak, Malaysia. 2011

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Husbandary and Veterinary care of Sumatran rhinoceros in Zoo Melaka. 1990

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Birth of Sumatran rhinoceros

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

First birth of Sumatran rhinoceros in captivity in Zoo Melaka First birth of Sumatran rhinoceros in captivity in Zoo Melaka

Case of Babesiosis in a Chihuahua

by Sherwin Camba

Heeren S., 2009, New views on the forfex of Virilis the veterinarian: shears, emasculator or twitch?, Journal of Archaeology in the Low Countries 1.1, 87-95

by Journal of Archaeology in the Low Countries

During the excavations of the Roman period rural settlements and cemetery in Tiel-Passewaaij (The Netherlands), a... more During the excavations of the Roman period rural settlements and cemetery in Tiel-Passewaaij (The Netherlands), a large pair of pincers was found. Following an article from 1973, the object was published as an emasculator at first. However, several equine veterinarians suggested that the pincers may in fact
be a twitch (Dutch: praam, German: Bremse, French: mouraille). If it can be established that this new view is correct, it sheds important light on two epigraphical sources: the Vindolanda tablet (TV II, 320) which mentions the veterinarian Virilis and a forfex, and the Aix-en-Provence altar depicting a veterinarian
at work. However, this alternative interpretation of the object is not uncontested. This article will discuss the available evidence, both archaeological and veterinarian in nature, to discuss the function of the pincers, as well as some consequences of the identification.

Plant Chemistry in Veterinary Medicine: Medicinal Constituents

by Eric Yarnell

Hematology and blood chemistry in captive dorcas gazelles and blackbucks

by Gines Viscor

Analyses of hematological and biochemical parameters were carried out in 14 blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra) and 23... more Analyses of hematological and biochemical parameters were carried out in 14 blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra) and 23 Dorcas gazelles (Gazella dorcas) of different sex and age.
The values determined were, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte diameter, number of erythrocytes and leukocytes, hematimetric indices, differential leukocyte count, total protein, albumin, globulins, albumin-globulin ratio, glucose, urea, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycérides, bilirubin, creatinine, LDH, ALP, GOT, OPT, CPK, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, osmolality.
Some statistically significant differences were observed between the species and the age and sex groups.

Hematology and plasma chemistry in endangered pigeons

by Gines Viscor

Hematologic and plasma chemistry values were determined for five species of adult clinically normal endangered... more Hematologic and plasma chemistry values were determined for five species of adult clinically normal endangered pigeons. Variables studied in Nicobar (Caloenas nicobarica), pheasant (Otidiphaps nobilis), common crowned (Goura cristata), Victoria crowned (G. victoria), and Scheepmaker's crowned (G. scheepmakeri) pigeons included hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte and leucocyte counts, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte dimensions, glucose, urea, uric acid, cholesterol, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine phosphokinase, lactic dehydrogenase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, total phosphorus, chloride, total plasma protein, albumin, globulin, albumin: globulin ratio, calcium, magnesium, and osmolality. Most values were similar to those reported for domestic or racing pigeons. An important difference noted was a lower hemoglobin concentration in the Goura spp. compared with domestic pigeons.

“Eighteenth-Century Horse Medicines and the Medical Market”, Veterinary History, vol. 14, no. 4 (2009).

by Michael MacKay

Communication skills

by Liz Mossop

ART ET SCIENCE AU MOYEN AGE

by stavros Lazaris

Lameness scoring system for dairy cows using force plates and artificial intelligence

by Saeid Mokaram

Sara Mokaram G.; Saeid Mokaram; S.Mehdi Ghamsari; Iradj Nowrouzian; Saeed Shiry G.; “Lameness scoring system for dairy cows using force plates and artificial intelligence”, Veterinary Record, 10.1136/vr.100429, 2011.

Lameness scoring is a routine procedure in dairy industry to screen the herds for new cases of lameness. Subjective... more Lameness scoring is a routine procedure in dairy industry to screen the herds for new cases of lameness. Subjective lameness scoring, which is the most popular lameness detection and screening method in dairy herds, has several limitations. They include low intra-observer and inter-observer agreement and the discrete nature of the scores which limits its usage in monitoring the lameness. The aim of this study is to develop an automated lameness scoring system comparable with conventional subjective lameness scoring by means of artificial neural networks. The system is composed of four balanced force plates installed in a hoof-trimming box. A group of 105 dairy cows was used for the study. Twenty-three features extracted from ground reaction force (GRF) data were used in a computer training process which was performed on 60 per cent of the data. The remaining 40 per cent of the data were used to test the trained system. Repeatability of the lameness scoring system was determined by GRF samples from 25 cows, captured at two different times from the same animals. The mean sd was 0.31 and the mean coefficient of variation was 14.55 per cent, which represents a high repeatability in comparison with subjective vision-based scoring methods. Although the highest sensitivity and specificity values were seen in locomotion score groups 1 and 4, the automatic lameness system was both sensitive and specific in all groups. The sensitivity and specificity were higher than 72 per cent in locomotion score groups 1 to 4, and it was 100 per cent specific and 50 per cent sensitive for group 5.

Factors Militating against the control of Helminthosis in Livestock in developing countries

by Pwaveno Bamaiyi

Published in Veterinary world journal

Helminthosis in livestock has been a problem from time immemorial. Local farmers have ancient methods of controlling... more Helminthosis in livestock has been a problem from time immemorial. Local farmers have ancient methods of controlling helminth parasites which had limited applications and success. Modern methods of controlling helminths are more effective if properly and strategically administered in such a way as to ensure adequate control of helminths and at the least possible cost to the farmer. Many factors militate against the control of Helminthosis in developing countries. Some of these factors are the literacy level of farmers, government funding and problems associated with experts in the field who are supposed to be involved in the control of Helminthosis. In this review some solution is proffered against these factors so as to ensure maximum helminth control and greater productivity of livestock.

Key words: Factors, control, Helminthosis, livestock, developing countries

Serological survey for evidence of Leptospira interrogans in free‐living platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

by Tanya McLachlan-Troup

Mastitis and farmer mindset. Towards effective communication strategies to improve udder health management on Dutch Dairy farms

by Jolanda Jansen

PhD thesis Jolanda Jansen

PhD on effective communication strategies to improve udder health on dairy farms in The Netherlands.
Thesis... more PhD on effective communication strategies to improve udder health on dairy farms in The Netherlands.
Thesis entitled: 'Mastitis and farmer mindset. Towards effective communication strategies to improve udder health management on Dutch dairy farms.'
Developed campaigns and educational tools contributed to a change in dairy farmers’ knowledge, attitude and behavior and to an improvement of udder health. Results are published in leading scientific journals and are presented on many international conferences.


Copies available on request.

The PhD project was executed at the Communication Science Department, Wageningen University, the Netherlands (WUR). Financed by the Dutch Udder Health Centre (UGCN) in cooperation with the Dutch Dairy Board (NZO), Federation of Farmers’ Organizations (LTO) and the Dutch Animal Health Service Ltd. (GD Deventer).

Evaluation of two communication strategies to improve udder health management.

by Jolanda Jansen

Jansen, J., Renes, R.J., Lam, T.J.G.M., 2010. Evaluation of two communication strategies to improve udder health management. Journal of Dairy Science, 93: 604-612

Worldwide, programs to improve udder health are
implemented using communication tools and methods
that... more Worldwide, programs to improve udder health are
implemented using communication tools and methods
that inform and persuade dairy farmers. This study
evaluated 2 communication strategies used in a mastitis
control program in the Netherlands. To improve farmers’
udder health management, tools such as instruction
cards, treatment plans, checklists and software were
developed following an argument-based comprehensive
“central route.” These tools were used during on-farm
study group meetings for farmers organized by veterinarians
and also during individual veterinarian–farmer
interactions. The second strategy aimed at adopting
a single management practice to increase the use of
milking gloves during milking. This approach followed
a straightforward “peripheral” route that used implicit
persuasion techniques. Results of an online survey of
374 Dutch dairy farmers showed that most farmers were
able and willing to use the educational management
tools to increase udder health on their farms. They
evaluated the tools positively regardless of the mastitis
problems on their farms. This seems to indicate that
the central route of communication is most effective
when farmers are motivated to work on udder health in
general. Results of repeated random telephone surveys
before, during, and after the campaign on the use of
milking gloves showed that the use of gloves increased
from 20.9 to 42.0% of the respondents. Respondents’
opinions about milking gloves also changed favorably,
indicating that a relatively short peripheral campaign
on a single action can have a sustained effect on farmers’
behavior. Both communication strategies seem to
be potentially successful in disseminating knowledge to
a specific target group of farmers and in changing that
group’s behavior. However, to reach as many farmers as
possible, the strategies should be combined. When optimizing
these strategies, both the farmers’ motivation
to work on udder health and the aim of the campaign
should be considered. When aiming to improve general
udder health management, the central route seems to
be effective if farmers are already motivated to optimize
their udder health management. For farmers who are
less motivated to work on udder health, the peripheral
route seems to be most effective when aiming to change
a single management practice. The evaluated communication
strategies are examples of how management
practices to control mastitis can be effectively communicated
to farmers. As such, this study contributes
to optimizing future programs to control and prevent
diseases.

Debunking the myth of the hard-to-reach farmer: effective communication on udder health

by Jolanda Jansen

Jansen, J., Steuten, C.D.M., Renes, R.J., Aarts, N., Lam, T.J.G.M. 2010. Debunking the myth of the hard-to-reach farmer: effective communication on udder health. Journal of Dairy Science, 93: 1296-1306

Worldwide, programs to control mastitis are implemented using different strategies to reach farmers. Even though... more Worldwide, programs to control mastitis are implemented using different strategies to reach farmers. Even though education materials and best practices may be technically optimal, they need to be used to be successful. Thus, effective communication with farmers is essential in order to change their behavior and to improve their farm management. During a Dutch national mastitis control program, a substantial number of farmers seemed to be hard to reach with information on udder health. Consequently, this study was designed to provide insight into the attitude and motivation of such farmers. In the period of October 2007 to July 2008, 24 in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with farmers whose veterinarians considered to be difficult to approach with advice on udder health management (8 practices, 3 farmers from each practice). The interviews included questions about the farms and the farmers, their attitude and behavior regarding mastitis, and their information sources and social environment. The results show that so-called hard-to-reach farmers were not always badly informed about udder health and did not always experience problems with mastitis. These ostensibly unreachable farmers were not a homogeneous group, but rather could be divided into 4 categories based on their trust in external information sources regarding mastitis and their orientation toward the outside world: proactivists, do-it-yourselfers, wait-and-see-ers, and reclusive traditionalists. There are ample opportunities to reach hard-to-reach farmers, provided that the communication strategies are tailored to their specific needs. There is especially much to gain in communication with do-it-yourselfers and wait-and-see-ers, but this demands a more proactive role on the part of veterinarians and extension specialists. Different types of farmers need to be approached in different ways and through different channels with information on udder health. Consequently, this study can contribute to the optimization of future programs designed to control and prevent diseases.

Explaining mastitis incidence: The influence of farmers’ attitudes and behaviour

by Jolanda Jansen

Jansen, J., Van den Borne, B.H.P., Renes, R.J., Van Schaik, G., Lam, T.J.G.M., Leeuwis, C., 2009. Explaining mastitis incidence: The influence of farmers’ attitudes and behaviour. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 92: 210-223.

When mastitis incidence increases, either infection pressure has increased or cows’ resistance has decreased. This... more When mastitis incidence increases, either infection pressure has increased or cows’ resistance has decreased. This usually indicates that farm management is not optimal. Numerous quantitative studies have demonstrated the effect of management practices on mastitis. In most of these studies, the identified risk factors could explain only part of the variance in mastitis incidence on farms. Several studies suggest that the unexplained variance is caused by farmers’ attitudes towards different aspects of mastitis treatment and preventive behaviour. This study aims to determine, to quantify and to specify the extent to which farmers’ attitudes, over and above farmers’ behaviour, are factors that explain the variation in mastitis incidence, measured in terms of the quantifiable effect of management factors.

An extensive survey on self-reported attitudes, behaviour and mastitis incidence was conducted on 336 Dutch dairy farms. Results of multiple linear regression analyses show that farmers’ self-reported behaviour and attitudes together explain 48%, 31% and 23% of the variation within, respectively, the average farm bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC), the clinical mastitis incidence and the combined clinical and subclinical mastitis incidence. Both behaviour and attitudes explain part of the variance. However, most of the variance in all three dependant measures is explained solely by the attitude variables.

The variation in BMSCC value is best explained by (1) farmers’ normative frame of reference about mastitis, (2) farmers’ perceptions about the control of mastitis and (3) the perceived effect of a BMSCC penalty level. The variation in clinical mastitis is best explained by farmers’ perceptions about mastitis control. The variation in the combined clinical and subclinical mastitis incidence rate is best explained by the perceived effect of a BMSCC penalty level and the frequency of contact with others.

The results of this study show that farmers’ attitudes are a better measure than farmers’ self-reported behaviour to explain and predict differences in mastitis incidence between farms. Consequently, future research and animal health promotion programs should take into account not only farmers’ behaviour, but also farmers’ attitudes. This study provides a first empirical investigation into the social processes applicable to mastitis incidence and is therefore considered a good starting point for future research to further investigate the causal effect of attitude change on farmers’ behaviour and animal health.