Growth and mortality in sheep and goats under high tsetse challenge in Kenya.

Trypanosomosis is a major impediment to livestock production and economic development in those areas of Africa where it is endemic. Although small ruminants appear to perform better than cattle in various agro-ecological zones, the importance of trypanosomosis has not been extensively investigated in these livestock. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of trypanosomosis in sheep and goats in an endemic area and to evaluate the performance of different breeds under high tsetse challenge and the potential role of chemoprophylaxis in the control of the disease.

The use of trypanocides and antibiotics by Maasai pastoralists.

Information was collected on the use of veterinary drugs by Maasai pastoralists in an area of Kenya where tsetse flies and trypanosomosis occur. Three herds of cattle were followed for between 4 and 5 years and records were kept of every veterinary drug treatment given by the livestock owners. Almost all treatments were either with the trypanocides homidium or diminazene, or with oxytetracycline by intramuscular injection.

Comparison of the isometamidium-based trypanocidal drugs Samorin and Veridium in cattle under field conditions at Nguruman, Kenya.

The trypanocidal activity of two commercially available isometamidium-based products, Samorin (Merial, USA) and Veridium (Sanofi Santé Nutrition Animale, France), used at a dose rate of 0.5 mg kg(-1) bodyweight, was compared in a field trial involving groups of approximately 30 zebu cattle in a trypanosomosis endemic part of south-western Kenya. The trial took place between April 1997 and March 1998 during a time of higher than normal rainfall that resulted in periods of high trypanosome challenge.

The effect of Trypanosoma vivax infection on late pregnancy and postpartum return to cyclicity in Boran cattle.

A study was designed to examine the effect of infection with Trypanosoma vivax KETRI 2501 on the maintenance of pregnancy and postpartum return to reproductive function in susceptible Galana (n = 6) and trypano-tolerant Orma Boran (n = 6) heifers during the third trimester of pregnancy. Of the 12 study animals, 3 Galana and 3 Orma Boran heifers served as controls. One of 3 Galana heifers calved prematurely with subsequent perinatal loss.

The effect of trypanosomosis on pregnancy in trypanotolerant Orma Boran cattle.

A study was undertaken to investigate the influence of trypanosomosis on the outcome of pregnancy in trypanotolerant Orma Boran (Bos indicus) exposed to natural tsetse challenge in an area of Kenya infested predominantly with Glossina pallidipes. Of 73 pregnant Orma heifers, 58 (79.5%) produced live calves at term, 13 (17.