| dc.description.abstract | A study was ca rri ed out in Nor the rn Kenya to find
out the effects of simple Veterinaty drug package on the
most importanc diseases of camels in the area. The study
involved two groups of 60 camels each. The f irst group of
camels owned by :3 nomadi c pastoralists consisternt of 1 bull ,
33 adults above 4 years, 13 immatures aged between year
and 4 years and 14 calves aged between 1 month and year.
This herd recei ved Veterinary input in the form of a package.
The second group of cume1s was purchased in the crea and
cons isteel of 1 bun, 39 adults above 4 years, 19 immatures
and 2 calves. This herd received no Veterinary input and
formed the control group whose disease pi cture Bond
production were compared to the experimental (treated)
group. The two herds were kept in separate but adj acent
bomas, herde d separate ly and drunk at separate wells.
Occasionally, the treated herd was given mineral bricks in
water while salty deposits were given to the control herd.
The two herds were otherwise managed traditionally.
Blood was collected in an anticoagulant from each
camel for packed cell volume determination once every 2
months and for mouse inoculation for trypanosome detection
once every 2 months for the first 4 months of the study.
Serum for anti body detecti on of vari ous diseases was taken once
every 2 months and paired serum samples from aborted animals
was taken 4 days after an abortion and 4 weeks after that.
At the end of the study, serum was t aken f rom all anirnal s
of the untreated herd for Brucellosis studies; using Serum
agglutination t-est, the Rose Denqal Plate Test and the
Complement fixation test.
Faeces for detection of egg levels of internal helminth
parasites were taken monthly and culturing for 3rd staje
infective larvae was done at approximately 4 months intervals.
Ticks were counted from one side of the animal and picked
from predilection sites once every manth to determine tick
loads arnd to identify the ticks as to the species. Body
measurenents were taken once every month from where body
weights were estimated. Post mortems were done on most
,
animals which died during the course of the study and post
mortem worm counts were done.
The package of treatment involved treating against
trypanosomiasis, once and later to animals wh ich were
serologically positive. Camels VJere treated against
internal parasites with an anthelmintic once every month
during the rainy. season and approximate Iy once every 2
months during the dry season. Acaricide was also used week ly
against ticks together with tick grease. Camels were also
treated against mange with acaricide and vaccinated twice
against anthrax'. Other condt t ions like wounds, coccidiosis
and bloat were· treated as they occured.
The results showed significant differences ~P< 0.01)
in packed cell volumes between the treated and the
untreated herd 2 months the treatment had began.
Although trypanosomiasis point prevalence rates were low
for both herds,the rate was inmost cases Tower for the
treated herd. indirect haemagglutination test (IHA) showed
more "positiveilreactiens than other tests used , and there
was no patency of infection detected by mice. Peaks of
infection were observed using (IHA) results which coincided
with the rainfall. The study on internal helminths showed
2 peaks of strongyle egg levels coinciding with the heavy
rains , and significant differences (P< 0.01) were observed
between the treated and the untreated herd after the cnset
of treatment. The effects of age of camels on strongly
egg loads were also ShOwn, with incidence increasing with
age. Results from, la"val cultures and D' Ost mortem worm
counts showed that Haemonchus was the most urport ant pathogen
affecting the camels.
Tick loads of the treated and uilt,reatedherds also
differed significantly (P< 0.01) after treatment began. The effects
of age on tick loads were however net observed and reasons
are suggested. Brucellosis studies in the untreated herd
showed low prevalence of the disease. The treated herd had,
fewe r abortions than the untreated herd and SOnlE' causes
of abortions were suspected. The mean body weights of the
two herds did not differ significantly (P > 0.01) although
the mean weights of adult camels in the "Red" herd were
higher than those of the "Blue" herd. r~ore births and
fewer deaths were recorded in the treated herd and the
reverse, less births and more deaths in the untreated herd
were observed. Causes of deaths are also given.
In terms of numbers. the treated herd had an increase of
18.3% and the untreated herd had a reduction of 5% in one year.
,
The overall benefit of the drug package was considered tc be
more births, fewer deaths, fewer abortionsin the treated
herd resulting in a herd growth while the untreated herd
showed a decrease in the herd.
From these studies, it was recommended that the control
of camel disease s in Marsabi t shaul d include strategic
dosing of animals with anthelmintics and frequent control of
ticks with acaricides.
It was also recommended that good mandgement and
predator control ,would help raise productivity in nomadic
camel herds. At the same time, markets for camels should be
sought so as to increase their offtake without thei r
damaging the environment. | en |
