Veterinary Medicine International
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Acceptance rate15%
Submission to final decision113 days
Acceptance to publication13 days
CiteScore2.300
Journal Citation Indicator0.610
Impact Factor3.1

Prevalence of Lameness in Dairy Cows and Associated Risk Factors at Hawassa Town Dairy Farms, Ethiopia

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Veterinary Medicine International publishes original research articles and review articles in all areas of veterinary research. Topics covered include the biological basis of disease, as well as diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and epidemiology.

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Chief Editor, Dr Sumanta Nandi, is based at the National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, India.

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Research Article

Spatial and Temporal Changes in Taenia solium Cysticercosis Seroprevalence among Pigs in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

Taenia solium remains among the major causes of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the geospatial distribution of the parasite is important to inform control strategies. This study assessed spatiotemporal changes in the T. solium infection among pigs from a rural area in southwestern Tanzania. Secondary data from a previous repeated cross-sectional study in the Mbeya and Mbozi districts were used, involving sixteen villages, eight from each of the two districts. Serum samples were collected from 482, 460, and 421 pigs in 221, 196, and 139 households, respectively, at seven-month intervals. Ag-ELISA was used to analyse the samples for circulating antigens. Geographic coordinates of the pig corrals adjacent to the households were also recorded using a hand-held GPS device. SatScan v9.7 software was used to perform purely spatial scan analysis, based on the Bernoulli distribution model. Spatial clustering was assumed based on the relative risk of T. solium seropositivity. Statistical significance (set at 0.05) of the cluster was determined by comparing the log-likelihood ratio with the null distribution derived by Monte Carlo simulations. The window with the highest log-likelihood ratio was regarded as a primary cluster. Results showed significant clustering of T. solium cases with the presence of a single primary cluster during each phase. The relative risk of T. solium infection among pigs within the primary cluster areas ranged from 3.0 to 6.7. The radii of the clusters expanded from 1.83 to 27.7 km before shrinking to 1.5 km, and cluster location drifted from north to central and then to the southern part of the study area. These findings suggest that with restricted resources, control measures in the area could be focused on pockets of high transmission. However, changes in the size and location of clusters suggest that to be effective, interventions should be instituted soon after clusters are identified.

Research Article

Total Replacement of Soybean Meal with Sundried Soymilk Residue in the Total Mixed Ration has a Negative Impact on Intake, Digestibility, and Milk Production in Dairy Goats

This study aimed to evaluate whether total replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with sundried soymilk residue (SSR) in a total mixed ration (TMR) affects intake, digestibility, milk production, and blood metabolites in dairy goats. A total of 12 healthy Saanen dairy goats (40.12 ± 5.80 kg of BW) in midlactation (31.23 ± 10.12 days) were used in a randomized complete design (n = 4 goats/group). Dietary treatments were based on a TMR as follows: control TMR without SSR (CON) or SBM-based TMR with 50% or 100% of SSR replacing SBM (SSR-50 and SSR-100, respectively). All goats had ad libitum access to feed and clean water throughout the experiment. The dry matter (DM) intake decreased () with the increasing replacement ratio of SBM and was lowest in the SSR-100 group. Similarly, organic matter (OM) digestibility was lowest () in the SSR-100 group. However, the digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF did not change () by dietary treatments. Compared with CON, the milk yield decreased significantly () with increasing replacement ratio of SBM. In contrast, milk composition such as total solids, solids-not-fat, milk fat, lactose, protein, and pH were not influenced () by feeding dietary SSR. Compared with other treatments, blood glucose concentration was lower () in the SSR-100 group. In contrast, packed cell volume, glucose, and plasma urea nitrogen concentrations did not differ (). The results indicated that SSR could replace SBM in a TMR at less than 50%. Thus, the present study provides support for further investigation to enhance the utilization of soybean waste as an alternative protein source in the TMR for dairy goats and potentially other ruminants.

Research Article

Molecular Detection and Isolation of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus during an Outbreak in West Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a highly contagious viral disease that causes significant economic losses in cattle populations globally. This study aimed to isolate and detect the LSD virus responsible for an outbreak in selected areas (Daaroo Labuu, Hawwii Guddina, and Gumbi Bordede district) of the West Hararghe Zone in Ethiopia between January 2020 and December 2021. Out of the 625 animals examined for the presence of LSD, only 73 animals showed clinical signs, and skin scrapes were collected from these animals for further analysis. Among those, 12 animals (1.9%) succumbed to the disease. Skin biopsy samples from 45 animals displaying clinical signs of LSD were inoculated in Vero cell lines because of limited equipment. After three blind passages, all samples developed cytopathic effects (CPEs). The presence of the LSD virus was confirmed using real-time PCR. Conventional PCR detected LSDV in 47 (64.4%) of the skin scrap samples, while high-resolution melt qPCR detected it in 49 (67.1%) samples. The study revealed a morbidity rate of 11.68%, a mortality rate of 1.92%, and a case fatality rate of 16.44% based on clinical data. The findings suggest that LSD causes significant economic losses, even in vaccinated animals prior to an outbreak. To effectively control and eradicate LSD, the government should develop new strategic policies. Community awareness campaigns are necessary to improve vector control measures and drainage systems. In addition, the present vaccination policy and strategy should be re-evaluated for effectiveness. This study focused on a specific region and timeframe, limiting generalizability. Factors such as environmental conditions and management practices were not extensively explored. Similar studies should be conducted in different regions to assess the prevalence and genetic diversity of LSDV. The effectiveness of control measures and vaccination strategies should be investigated. The impact of environmental factors and management practices on LSD transmission and disease severity warrants further exploration. This study provides insights into the detection and isolation of the LSD virus during an outbreak in the West Hararghe Zone of Ethiopia. The results highlight the need for continued surveillance and monitoring of emerging infectious diseases in the region. Furthermore, the importance of using molecular methods for detecting and characterizing viral outbreaks in livestock populations is emphasized.

Research Article

Radiological Anatomy of the Pelvis and Pelvic Limb of the Greater Cane Rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

Greater cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) are now being captive reared and domesticated in the sub-Saharan Africa because of increase in their demand for biomedical research and traditional medicine and as a source of meat. This research was performed to provide the normal radiological anatomy of the pelvis and pelvic limb in greater cane rats for a reference in biomedical research, in anatomical studies, and in clinical use. Radiological examination of the pelvis and right pelvic limb was done in five greater cane rats. Radiological results were correlated with bones of the pelvis and right pelvic limb. The pelvic bone had a prominent caudoventral iliac spine. The pelvic symphysis was long and obturator foramina appeared teardrop-shaped elongated craniocaudally. The prominent major trochanter extended proximally higher than the femoral head. The middle third of the body of the tibia presented a very prominent tuberosity. In all specimens, the tarsal sesamoid bone was visualised. Mineralised popliteal sesamoid bone was not visualised. In male greater cane rats, the os penis was visualised. The lateral and medial menisci of the stifle joint were seen with ossicles. The first metatarsal bone was rudimentary with greater plantar divergence. Despite of the pelvic limb and pelvis of greater cane rats sharing anatomical structures with other rodents, it retains some exceptional anatomical features. Findings of this study will serve as a reference for anatomical studies, clinical veterinary practice, and in biomedical research.

Research Article

Inclusion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii RC009 and Pediococcus pentosaceus RC007 as a Probiotic Additive in Pigs’ Postweaning Diets and Its Effect on Meat Composition, Carcass Characteristics, and Fatty Acids Profile after Slaughter

The postweaning is recognized as one of the most challenging stages of pig growth that can affect their lifetime productivity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the inclusion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii RC009 and Pediococcus pentosaceus RC007 as a probiotic additive in pigs’ postweaning diets and its effect on meat composition, carcass characteristics, and fatty acids profile after slaughter. The following three treatments (550 animals each) were included: T1: control balanced diet (CD), T2: CD with S. boulardii RC009 (1 × 109 CFU/kg feed), and T3: CD with P. pentosaceus RC007 (1 × 109 CFU/kg feed). The additive was administered throughout the postweaning phase (49 d), and then the pigs were moved to a fattening house where they no longer received probiotics in the feed. At 115 ± 5 kg, the animals were transferred to the slaughterhouse. Analyses of carcass composition, muscle depth, protein content, total fat and ash, drip and cooking water loss, and fatty acids were performed. Pigs consuming the probiotic additives had improvements in some of the production parameters. According to our results, we could observe that some modifications in meat composition after slaughter were observed in the group of pigs that consumed the probiotic additives during the postweaning, which could be considered as an improvement in meat quality. Pigs consuming probiotics had higher percentages of essential omega-3 fatty acids such as linolenic acid, and pigs consuming S. cerevisiae var. boulardii RC009 increased lean percentage and reduced the eicosanoic contents in meat. Also, an improvement in water retention capacity was observed in both groups treated with probiotics. While these results are promising, further studies are needed to evaluate the possible effect of these additives closer to slaughter, as well as their combined use.

Research Article

Taenia solium Cysticercosis and Taeniosis Reporting in the Current Medical and Veterinary Diseases Reporting Systems in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

Taenia solium cysticercosis and taeniosis (TSCT) are two forms of a zoonotic disease caused by T. solium tapeworm. Towards promotion of a One Health approach to the control of TSCT, we assessed TSCT reporting in the medical and veterinay sectors in Tanzania. We conducted a cross-sectional study between January and April 2020 in Babati and Mbulu districts (northern Tanzania), Kongwa district (central Tanzania), Mbinga and Nyasa districts (southern Tanzania), and the Zonal Veterinary Centres in Iringa (southern Tanzania) and Arusha (northern Tanzania) regions. A questionnaire was administered to 154 officers in charge (OsIC) of primary healthcare facilities (PHFs) and 110 meat inspectors (MIs) to collect quantitative data. Key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to 16 medical and 17 veterinary officers from level one healthcare facilities and district livestock offices, respectively, to their respective ministries. OsIC admitted absence of specific reporting (100%, n = 154) of T. solium taeniosis and neurocysticercosis (NCC) in the medical diseases reporting system (MDRS) despite the presence of optimum facilitation in terms of report preparation and submission (92.2%, n = 154) with 83.8% (n = 154) timely report submission rate. The veterinary diseases reporting system (VDRS) accommodated porcine cysticercosis (PCC) reporting. Nevertheless, approximately 77.3% (n = 110) of the MIs admitted inadequate facilitation in VDRS that hindered efficient reporting of PCC among other diseases. In addition, all MIs admitted that disease reports submitted were incomplete, submitted late (73.3%, n = 110), or not submitted at all (88.8%, n = 110). Similarly, KIIs results revealed suboptimal facilitation and reporting efficiency in VDRS than it was with the MDRS. It is concluded that the MDRS did not provide for specific reporting of taeniosis and NCC. Inadequate facilitation of the general VDRS hindered efficient PCC reporting despite its provision for PCC reporting. A One Health approach in strengthening the medical and veterinary diseases reporting systems for efficient TSCT reporting is recommended.

Veterinary Medicine International
 Journal metrics
See full report
Acceptance rate15%
Submission to final decision113 days
Acceptance to publication13 days
CiteScore2.300
Journal Citation Indicator0.610
Impact Factor3.1
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