Browsing by Author "Matondo, A. B."

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A 12- year retrospective study on pattern and relative frequency of preventable canine diseases in Morogoro
(Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2018) Raymond, R.; Matondo, A. B.
A retrospective study was undertaken to determine the occurrence and relative frequency of canine cases admitted at the University Animal Hospital located at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). The study involved examination of canine cases recorded for the past 12 years starting from 2005 to 2016. A total of 2,288 canine cases were evaluated and grouped based on disease condition matching with the hospital records. The top five most frequently admitted cases were found to be worm infestation (19%), parvo viral diarrhoea (15%), wound (13%), canine distemper (7.7%) and bacterial diarrhoea (7.6%). Worm infestation showed a high and steady occurrence; parvo viral diarrhoea and canine distemper cases were on the increasing trend whereas rabies and canine transmissible venereal tumour were on the decreasing trend. Interestingly, majority of cases reported were those which can be prevented through adequate veterinary care such as vaccination, routine deworming, and sanitation. The findings in this study call for further follow-up studies and re-assessment of the current strategies used in disease control in order to have a comprehensive understanding in the existing gaps which limit progress in the control of some diseases identified in this study.
Case report: Suspected Piscine Chlamydia like infection in Tanzania
(Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2019) Matondo, A. B.; Mtalika, M. I.; Mdegela, R. H.
Ten moribund fish were received at pathology laboratory to establish the cause of sponteneous mortalities of farmed tilapia recorded in Kilosa District, Morogoro region. Post-mortem examination revealed macroscopic mucous bands connecting gills and operculum; and oval to round grey-white cysts on the gill lamella. Gill samples were collected for microscopic and bacteriological investigation. Histopathological investigation revealed gill epithelial hyperplasia and characteristic enlargement of epithelial cells infected with pale and basophilic cytoplasmic inclusions. The gross pathological changes coupled with histopathological findings recorded in this case are typical features of epitheliocystis. Furthermore, fish mortalities ceased in the farm after water replacement and reconnection of all fish ponds with direct supply of fresh water from the source. This is the first report in Tanzania describing characteristic epitheliocystis lesions. Furthermore, this report re-affirm previous findings that epitheliocystis can be managed through routine management of water quality.
Evidences of declining rabies: A retrospective study of cumulative clinical data at Sokoine University Animal Hospital, Tanzania
(Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2019) Matondo, A. B.
Rabies remains one of the public health threats with annual deaths approximated to be up to 1500 in Tanzania and 59000 globally. Despite of its importance, there is a significant gap in surveillance especially for Canine rabies partly due to insufficient reporting system. The aim of this study was to analyze pre-existing clinical data on Canine rabies for the past 21 years starting from 1995 to 2015 and investigate the dynamics of suspected and confirmed Canine rabies recorded during the studied period. The study discovered that over 91% of all rabies suspects registered at Animal Hospital and Pathology Laboratory, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) originated from Morogoro district partly because the Hospital and Laboratory are located within the district. The remaining cases came from Mvomero, Iringa, Kilosa, Kilombero, Mpwapwa and Gairo districts respectively in the decreasing order. Interestingly only 7.4% of the 87 confirmed rabid dogs had vaccination history against rabies. Furthermore, the study revealed gradual decrease in number of suspected and confirmed cases of rabies from early 2000s onwards. Finally, the higher number of rabid dogs with no vaccination history underscores the importance of vaccination in rabies control. The overall decreasing number of rabid dogs should serve as a motivation for continued concerted rabies control efforts towards total elimination.
Parasitic and non-parasitic conditions affecting farmed and wild cichlids in Tanzania
(Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2018) Matondo, A. B.; Mtalika, M. I.
Infectious fish diseases are among the known contributing factor in reduced productivity of fish farming enterprises. Despite of the growing importance of global fish farming industry, research in fish and other aquatic stocks relevant to Tanzania is limited. This paper presents preliminary results of the ongoing investigation on fish mortalities which occurred in fish farm located in Kibaha District. The paper also present preliminary results of formalin fixed samples received from other parts of Tanzania. In all the samples; branchitis, gill deformity, and intracellular chlamydia like organisms were the major findings regardless of the source. Other findings include encysted trematode metacercaria in different anatomical locations accompanied with variable pathomorphological changes to the host tissues. Interestingly, mortalities ceased in the affected farm after replenishment of water supply suggesting that either poor water quality was the main predisposing factor or aggravated the observed disease conditions. Therefore maintenance of water quality and or water replacement is recommended as the first intervention measure where poor water quality is strongly suspected to be associated with mortalities in fish farms. Further studies on the pathobiological characteristic of the observed infectious organisms will provide more insights on the suspected relationships between the environmental factors in one hand and progression of the observed pathological changes in fish.
Severe ulcerative dermatitis in a Captive African Lion
(Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2019) Chuma, I. S.; Matondo, A. B.
Free ranging wild animals are known to be capable of co-existing with a wide range of parasites without experiencing significant health effects. Interstingly, the same parasites can cause severe health deterioration to animals under captivity. An investigation was therefore conducted following a report of a captive lion with unusual skin appearance coupled with increased fly activities. Physical and laboratory investigation revealed severe ulcerative dermatitis, moderate hematological changes and the presence of intracuteneous and gastrointestinal parasites. Furthermore, inappropriate use of antihelmitics was observed that was not protective against worm infestation. The use of parenteral ivermectin and other supportive therapy alleviated the condition. It is expected that this report will enrich the existing body of knowledge and stimulate constructive discussions among professionals managing captive wild animals for the purpose of improving animal health and welfare.