WEB Vetnews May 2015

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From the Journal of the SAVA
Establishment of baseline
haematology and biochemistry
parameters in wild
adult African penguins
(Spheniscus demersus)
Nola J. Parsons, Adam M. Schaefer,
Stephen D. van der Spuy, Tertius A. Gous
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association;
Vol 86, No 1 (2015), 8 pages. doi: 10.4102/jsava.
v86i1.1198
Abstract
There are few publications on the clinical haematology
and biochemistry of African penguins (Spheniscus
demersus) and these are based on captive populations.
Baseline haematology and serum biochemistry para­
meters were analysed from 108 blood samples from
wild, adult African penguins. Samples were collected
from the breeding range of the African penguin in South
Africa and the results were compared between breeding
region and sex. The haematological parameters that
were measured were: haematocrit, haemoglobin, red cell
count and white cell count. The biochemical parameters
that were measured were: sodium, potassium, chloride,
calcium, inorganic phosphate, creatinine, cholesterol,
serum glucose, uric acid, bile acid, total serum protein,
albumin, aspartate transaminase and creatine kinase. All
samples were serologically negative for selected avian
diseases and no blood parasites were detected. No
haemolysis was present in any of the analysed samples.
Male African penguins were larger and heavier than
females, with higher haematocrit, haemoglobin and
red cell count values, but lower calcium and phosphate
values. African penguins in the Eastern Cape were
heavier than those in the Western Cape, with lower white
cell count and globulin values and a higher albumin/
globulin ratio, possibly indicating that birds are in a
poorer condition in the Western Cape. Results were also
compared between multiple penguin species and with
African penguins in captivity. These values for healthy,
wild, adult penguins can be used for future health and
disease assessments. v
From the Journal of the SAVA
The efficacy of a generic
doxycycline tablet in the treatment
of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis
Josephus J. Fourie, Ivan Horak, Dionne
Crafford, Heidi L. Erasmus, Ockert J. Botha
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association;
Vol 86, No 1 (2015), 10 pages. doi: 10.4102/jsava.
v86i1.1193
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the
therapeutic efficacy of a generic doxycycline tablet (Doxy­
Vet®) against Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs. Canine
monocytic ehrlichiosis is caused by the bacterium E.
canis and transmitted by the brown kennel tick (Rhipi­
cephalus sanguineus). Six disease-free and tick-free
dogs were infested with E. canis infected ticks. Once
diagnosed (with polymerase chain reaction [PCR] analysis
and platelet counts) as positive for infection, doxycy­
cline tablets were administered orally once a day for 20
consecutive days, at a target dose level of 10 mg/kg.
The actual dose administered was calculated as ranging
between 10 mg/kg and 11.7 mg/kg. The PCR analysis,
28 days after the first administration of the tablets, failed
to detect E. canis in any of the dogs. On Day 56 of the
study, four of the dogs were diagnosed with E. canis for
the second time and a fifth dog was diagnosed on Day
70. The platelet counts of the sixth dog remained within
normal levels and it was discharged from the study on
Day 84. Doxycycline tablets were then administered to
the remaining five infected dogs for 28 consecutive days.
Four of these dogs had no positive PCR results during the
following 3 months. The fifth dog was diagnosed with
E. canis for the third time 58 days after the last tablets
of the second treatment had been administered, after
which it was rescue treated (doxycycline for a further
28 days). The results indicate that doxycycline adminis­
tered in tablet form (DoxyVet®) at 10 mg/kg – 11.7 mg/kg
body mass once daily for 28 consecutive days clears most
dogs of infection. The importance of a concomitant tick-
control programme is therefore stressed. v
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Mei/May 2015 37 vetnuus•news