2026-03-02
R Hartwigsen, CC Grant, T Botha, E van Vollenhoven
Thoroughbred racehorses are at increased risk of injury during race preparations and trials, primarily due to intensive workloads that predispose them to musculoskeletal injuries. Evaluating clinical interventions to improve health and prevent injury is essential for addressing animal welfare concerns. This study investigated the medium-term effects of acupuncture on stride, speed and cardiac autonomic regulation (assessed via heart rate variability [HRV]), in Thoroughbred flat racehorses. This prospective, randomised, parallel-group study included an intervention and a control group. Thirty Thoroughbred racehorses in full training (racing age 3 years; range 3.0–3.9), from a single professional training yard, and at the same stage of their racing careers, were maintained under similar nutritional, training, and environmental conditions. The intervention group received three acupuncture treatments, over a three-week period. HRV and 800-m gallop stride parameters (SP) were measured pre- and postacupuncture period in both groups. Pre-post changes or delta (Δ) in each indicator were calculated for both groups and compared using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U tests. Treatment was associated with non-significant reductions in parasympathetic HRV indicators namely root mean square of successive differences in beat-to-beat RR-interval (ΔRMSSD: treatment vs control: - 2.19 vs. 1.47 ms), high frequency components (ΔHF: - 37.19 vs. 19.42 ms 2 ), and standard deviation of short-term variability (ΔSD1: - 1.56 vs. 1.04 ms), suggesting lower vagal tone. Maximum stride count (Max SC) increased significantly in the control group ( p = 0.004). Overall, the treatment group showed decreased stride count and vagal activity indicating that a short recovery period may be required after acupuncture.
2025-12-01
AJ Davis, DDPS Jordaan, JG Myburgh
Sporidesmin, a toxin released by a saprophytic fungus, Pseudopithomyces chartarum , causes hepatogenous photosensitivity in sheep and cattle, commonly known as Facial Eczema. A recent outbreak in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa caused significant direct and indirect economic losses to a farmer in the area and highlighted the potential negative consequences of this mycotoxicosis to the dairy industry in this province. The milking herd consisted of 400 cross-bred Jersey/Friesian/Montbilliard cattle. The farmer identified 56 cows showing teat sensitivity/irritability during milking, hypersensitive skin, excessive licking and/or obvious skin lesions on non-pigmented skin areas. Three were culled due to the severity of their skin lesions. Grazing consisted of mixed kikuyu/perennial rye grass pasture under pivot irrigation, alternated with dryland kikuyu/Italian rye and sorghum. Typical clinical signs of severe secondary photosensitivity (skin inflammation and hypersensitivity to touch), very high serum concentrations of Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT 2143-5177 IU/L) and detection of large numbers of spores on grazed planted pastures supported the clinical diagnosis. Supplementation of zinc oxide (ZnO) powder at 12 g per 500 kg cow dosed individually over the concentrates fed in the dairy, effectively reduced the incidence of new cases within two to three weeks. Weight loss, a decrease in milk volume and solids, and increased somatic cell counts were observed during this outbreak. One of these parameters, milk volume loss, was quantified by comparing the financial records of the four years preceding the outbreak to the production figures during the outbreak. The farmer lost approximately R1.5 million in milk volume during this outbreak (November 2020 – April 2021). Long term consequences were also apparent: the culling rate within the clinically affected group of 53 cows was more than 50% higher than the rest of the herd over the following two years. This case study highlights the urgent need to investigate the prevalence and potential economic impact of Sporidesmin Toxicity on the South African pasture-based dairy industry.
2025-12-01
SDC Parsons, M Hobson, M Wepener, T Mtetwa, EH Hooijberg, SJ Clift
Background: Swelling disease is a poorly understood clinical syndrome of South African Angora goats that is characterised by acute-onset diffuse oedema. Adrenocorticotropic hormone-stimulated aldosterone secretion has been proposed as a possible aetiology of swelling disease, but this hypothesis has not been tested. Objectives: To investigate aldosterone secretion in swelling disease by reanalysing data collected during a 2015 clinical investigation of the syndrome in which serum aldosterone and cortisol levels were measured along with standard clinical laboratory variables in affected and unaffected animals. Methods: Goats affected with swelling disease, and unaffected herd-mates, were sampled for measurement of haematology variables, serum protein variables, and serum sodium, aldosterone, and cortisol. Results for affected and unaffected goats were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test, and the association between variables was investigated using Spearman’s rank-order correlation analysis. Results: Goats affected with swelling disease had significantly higher white blood cell counts (WBC) and serum aldosterone than unaffected animals, and significantly lower total serum protein (TSP), albumin, globulin, and albumin/globulin ratios. For all animals ( n = 60), serum protein variables showed a significant and strong positive correlation with one another, and a negative correlation with serum aldosterone and WBC. Conclusion: Swelling disease of South African Angora goats is characterised by panhypoproteinaemia, a low A/G ratio, leukocytosis, and hyperaldosteronaemia. Causal relationships between variables could not be determined, however, the detection of hyperaldosteronaemia provides novel insight into the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of this syndrome.
2025-12-01
MR Kekana, A Fuller, A Angelbrecht, AC Donaldson, N Lotz, A Olivier, SWP Cloete, SK Maloney, AJ Haw
The surgical procedure and post-surgical consequences of data logger implantation in ostrich chicks are described for the first time. Twenty-eight two-week-old ostrich chicks were anaesthetised with isoflurane for the implantation of miniature temperature data loggers into the coelom. Following surgery, the ostrich chicks regained consciousness within five minutes, and recovered quickly without complications. No signs of discomfort were noted during observations for 72-hours post-surgery. Detailed behavioural observations were conducted directly after surgery and thereafter every 15 minutes, for 30 minutes (at T0, T15, and T30). At T15, the chicks spent significantly less time sitting than at T0, and at T30 the percentage of sitting decreased further. Walking increased significantly at T30 compared to T0. Feeding behaviour increased at T15 compared to T0, followed by a further increase at T30. The percentage of chicks showing staggering and/or shivering behaviour was lower at T15 and T30 than at T0. For the seven days after surgery, the body temperature of the chicks ranged from 35.5 to 41.8 °C, with an overall mean of 39.3 °C. The surgical procedure was safe and suitable for young ostrich chicks, since the chicks recovered quickly after the procedure and had a 100% survival rate at one month after surgery.
2025-12-01
Johann Schröder
As a newly-minted veterinarian and aspirant pathologist, my first publication reported on an osteosarcoma at the thoracic inlet of a dog (Schröder 1976). The case was noteworthy because it was unusual for an osteosarcoma to originate on the axial skeleton, rather than on one of the long bones.
2025-12-01
BAT Gazendam, KN Koeppel
Many species of vulture are under threat from man-made inventions; this has led to wounded and sick vultures presenting for veterinary treatment and in need of pain management. Following the devastating effect of diclofenac on vultures in South Asia, meloxicam was found to be very safe for vultures, as a treatment as well as through ingestion of meat from treated animals. Many studies investigated the safety of meloxicam, and all found it to be safe up to 2 mg/kg, which was deemed the maximum likely exposure through treated carcasses. All studies exposed the birds either through oral dosing, treated meat or intramuscular administration, no instances of toxicity where recorded and all birds remained healthy. In this case the bird was exposed to a single dose of 2 mg/kg, intravenously, with no signs of toxicity. This appears to be the first recorded instance of accidental intravenous administration of meloxicam in a vulture.
2025-12-01
Adrian SW Tordiffe
The South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) stands at a defining moment in its history — a moment shaped not by challenge alone, but by extraordinary opportunity. For more than a century, SAVA has served as the professional home of veterinarians in Southern Africa, advancing science, strengthening standards, and safeguarding animal and public health. Today, that mission is more vital than ever. At the heart of this mission lies the Journal of the South African Veterinary Association (JSAVA) — a platform not only for publishing science, but for shaping the future of veterinary medicine on our continent.
2025-12-01
LM van der Merwe, EC Schliewert
Background: Colic is a common equine emergency requiring medical or surgical intervention. These interventions can be costly, making outcomes data and prognostic indicators essential for guiding referral and treatment decisions. Objectives: To determine survival rates to hospital discharge and evaluate prognostic indicators in equine colic cases treated at a referral hospital (Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital [OVAH], South Africa). Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study analysed records from horses with colic that were presented to the OVAH from January 2019 to August 2021. Data included signalment, admission heart rate (HR) and packed cell volume (PCV), treatment type (medical vs. surgical), surgical diagnosis, postoperative complications, and survival to discharge. Results: Of 415 cases, 375 were treated (292 medically, 83 surgically). 91% of medically, 77% of surgically treated, and 88% overall survived. Compared to a previous study, overall survival to discharge improved by 5% ( p = 0.025), mainly due to improved surgical outcomes. Survival was associated with treatment type and surgical lesion site (lower for small intestinal than large intestinal lesions). Medically treated cases with an increased HR and surgical cases with a high PCV had lower survival rates. Signalment showed no association with outcomes. Conclusion: Survival rates to discharge were comparable to previously published international reports and showed significant improvement to previous results from the same institution, due to improved surgical outcomes. These findings can assist veterinarians in referral and treatment decisions. Further research on long-term survival and additional prognostic indicators is required to improve outcome predictions for equine colic treatment.
2025-12-01
L Fernhout, H Lambrechts, JHC van Zyl
Ulcerative balanoposthitis (UB) is a venereal disease which has frequently been diagnosed in sheep in South Africa (SA) since 1979, with no conclusive causative agent or treatment available. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) can be used as biomarker to diagnose the early onset of UB in sheep flocks in SA. The study made use of 10 healthy Dohne Merino rams, two healthy Dorper rams, and 10 UB-affected Dorper rams. Smegma-, blood-, nasal swab- and sheath swab samples, respectively, were collected from all rams, and subjected to a single-tube hemi-nested PCR analysis to determine OvHV-2 status of all the sample types collected. The prevalence of OvHV-2 in all 22 animals was 22.75%, irrespective of breed or health status. The detection rate of OvHV-2 was 33.3% for the 10 UB-positive animals, and 16.7% for the 12 UB-negative animals. In blood, OvHV-2 had a 4.54% detection rate, 8.33% in smegma, 13.64% in nasal samples, and a 0% detection in penile swabs. This study found no significant co-occurrence of UB and OvHV-2, which indicates that OvHV-2 cannot be considered as a biomarker for the early onset of UB or a causative agent of UB.
2025-12-01
JG Nel, PN Thompson, DE Holm
Background: Sex-sorted semen (SS) offers economic benefits to sheep producers, but lower fertility outcome (FO), defined as probability of pregnancy, pregnancy rate or lambing rate, than that following conventional semen (CS) artificial insemination (AI) may limit its use. Objectives: To systematically review the literature, and analyse factors associated with FO following AI in sheep using SS vs CS. Methods: Available literature was searched using the PRISMA guidelines, resulting in 11 studies with 14 experiments that were reviewed. From these, information from 70 study cohorts representing 13 experiments was used to conduct a meta-analysis which confirmed that FOs for SS and CS AI were 37% (95% CI = 31–43%) and 52% (95% CI = 45–59%), respectively ( p < 0.01). Results: FO improved over time, with FO following SS and CS AI improving at the same rate over the period investigated (1997-2022). In a subgroup analysis, five factors were identified that potentially decrease the FO after SS AI disproportionately. These were sperm dose ≤ 4 × 106 spermatozoa, semen preservation (fresh vs frozen-thawed), oestrus synchronisation using an intravaginal sponge (vs a controlled internal drug release device), presence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the synchronisation protocol, and absence of biostimulation using a teaser ram. In a random-effects model analysis, an interaction between sperm dose and SS vs CS, and semen preservation were independent predictors of FO after adjusting for the effect of timing of insemination. Conclusion: FO following insemination with SS is 15% lower than that of CS, which can be narrowed by increasing the semen dose for SS inseminations and improving the synchronisation of ovulation with the timing of insemination.
2025-12-01
RJ Harvey, DA Bantlin
Population management of the African lion ( Panthera leo ) is often necessary in smaller non-contiguous systems. Ovariohysterectomies are commonly performed as a means of surgical birth control in many species by ventral-midline celiotomy, although a lateral laparotomy is used routinely in certain species and clinical settings. Ovariohysterectomies have been carried out in both captive and free-ranging African lion populations for birth control. This paper presents a left-lateral laparotomy (left-flank approach) for ovariohysterectomy in the free-ranging African lion, using the greater trochanter of the femur and the iliac crest as anatomical landmarks in order to determine the correct location for the abdominal incision. Unilateral ovariohysterectomies were successfully performed in three free-ranging lionesses by left-flank approach with no intra- or postoperative complications and rapid recovery. The procedure is swift, safe and provides an alternative to the ventral-midline celiotomy.
2024-12-04
ES Macha, LCR Meyer, M Leiberich, M Hofmeyr, EH Hooijberg
Despite translocation being a useful conservation strategy in rhinoceros management, morbidities and mortalities occurring during transportation pose a significant concern to rhinoceros managers, veterinarians, and scientists. The objectives of this study were to better understand the effects of transport on rhinoceros and to gain insights from veterinarians involved in rhinoceros translocations about current practices and potential interventions that could improve welfare. A weblink and QR code to an online questionnaire with a total of 46 questions in Google Forms was sent to veterinarians who had experience in African rhinoceros transportation, through personal emails and social network forums. Results demonstrated that despite dehydration and negative energy balance being reported as the major causes of morbidities and mortalities during transport and post-release, most veterinarians (30/35; 86%) involved in rhinoceros translocation did not offer water, parenteral fluids, or feed to transported animals, for logistical reasons and the knowledge or perception of rhinoceros' resistance to taking ad lib food and water during transport. However, 52% (15/29) and 41% (15/34) of participants suggested that parenteral fluids could be used as an intervention to mitigate dehydration and negative energy balance respectively. To reduce stress, 94% (33/35) of respondents suggested the use of tranquilisers and sedatives. This study is the first to systematically investigate and report on practices by veterinarians involved in rhinoceros translocations globally. The study highlights that further research is required to explore optimal and pragmatic techniques in the field to mitigate reported welfare challenges in rhinoceros during transport.
2024-12-04
RJ Harvey, S Ferguson, J Fennessy
The West African giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis peralta ), a subspecies of the northern giraffe ( G. camelopardalis ), naturally only inhabited one unprotected area in Niger. West African giraffe are a conservation success story as their population has grown from ~ 49 individuals to > 600 as a direct result of efforts by the Niger government and NGOs. Along with improved legislation, enhanced monitoring, and community engagement, establishing a satellite population within their historic range has been a major success. Giraffe translocations are technically and logistically difficult, and may require immobilisations, which add additional challenges. Such translocations are commonly undertaken in southern and East Africa with specialised equipment and experienced teams. However, with good planning and preparation, giraffe can be translocated with a small, effective team and locally constructed equipment. This case report describes the translocation of 12 West African giraffe (eight female and four male) to the Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve, Niger, using locally constructed equipment. All giraffe were immobilised in the field and taken to a temporary holding boma for acclimatisation. The translocations took place in 2018 and 2022, interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The giraffe spent between 24 hours and six weeks in the holding boma, and the former group received a low-dose of water-based perphenazine for tranquillisation and possible anxiolytic effects. Transport was by road using a modified 20-foot open-topped shipping container with strategic stops for feeding and rest. Giraffe were hard released into the reserve. No mortalities occurred during the operation and post-translocation; five calf births were recorded by the end of 2023.