Browsing by Author "Werema, C. W."

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Predicting body weight of Tanzania shorthorn zebu cattle using heart girth measurements
(Livestock Research for Rural Development, 2011-04-01) Kashoma, I. P. B.; Luziga, C.; Werema, C. W.; Shirima, G. A.; Ndossi, D.
Impact of research findings on Tanzania shorthorn zebu (TSHZ) cattle under agro- pastoral system in Tanzania have been lessened due to difficulties in relating visual appearance of animals with their live body weights. Managerial decisions have therefore been based on rough and inaccurate estimates. A simple, workable and accurate means was therefore thought to predict live weight of zebu cattle using heart girth measurement. A total of 300 TSHZ cattle were subjected to weighbridge as well as heart girth measurements and the findings subjected to regression analysis. Their live weights ranged from 170 to 390 Kg. The study revealed that heart girth had high correlation coefficient with live weight (r = 0.94, p<0.01). Grouping of data according to sex indicated that heart girth and live weight had closest correlation coefficient in both male and female, r = 0.9385 and r = 0.9318, respectively. The regression analysis of live weight on heart girth was highly significant (R² = 0.88, P<0.01), and the regression lines indicated that a linear relationship existed. The general equation for prediction of live weight of the TSHZ cattle was as follows: Y = 4.55 X – 409 (± 17.9), Where, Y = live weight (Kg), X = heart girth (cm). This implies that the use of the heart girth measurements in prediction of live weight of TSHZ cattle is credible.
Productive and reproductive performance of Friesian cows at Kitulo livestock multiplication unit, Tanzania
(Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2015-02-12) Kashoma, I. P.; Mwingira, S. M.; Werema, C. W.; Kessy, B. M.
Retrospective data were collected to assess reproductive and productive performance of Friesian dairy cows reared at Kitulo Livestock Multiplication Unit, Tanzania. Records of 314 cows within consecutive five productive periods; 2009 - 2014 were analyzed using Statistical Package for SocialScience (SPSS). The overall mean age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), number of services per conception (NSPC), lactation length (LL) and total lactation milk yield (TLMY) were 1151.72±9.63 days, 404.57±1.54 days, 121.82±1.24 days,1.83±0.24, 306.54±5.53 days and 5,042.12±23.73 kg, respectively. CI differed significantly (P < 0.05) as it decreased with increasing parity but did not affect the TLMY. Number of services per conception positively correlated with DO and CI but negatively correlated with parity. Total lactation milk yield was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by parity and lactation length, but TLMY had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on the average number of services per conception. It is concluded that reproductive and productive performance of Friesian dairy cows in the present study were low to moderate so it is required to improve management practices at the farm for better reproductive and productive performance.
Prophylactic antibiotics in augmenting Surgical wound healing
(TANZANIA VETERINARY ASSOCIATION, 2017) Werema, C. W.; Ndossi, D. G.
Antibiotics are widely used in treatment of bacterial and protozoan diseases in both human and animals. In production animal systems, the overuse and abuse of antibiotics have contributed to the widespread of antimicrobial resistant bacterial strains and drug residues in food chain. Oxytetracycline for example is a common antibiotic employed for treating various bacterial diseases and wound infection. This study aimed at investigating the use of prophylactic antibiotics in augmenting surgical wound healing in animals. Sixty-four adult guinea pigs were employed in this study and randomly divided into four equal groups (n=16). Animals were fully anaesthetized using Xylazine 5.0 mg/kg and Ketamine 44.0 mg/kg. Laparotomy incisions (3 cm long) were made on aseptically prepared sites on the ventral abdomen. The abdominal muscles and peritoneum were sutured by Catgut® while Silk® was used to suture the skin. Animals in group one received Oxytetracycline intramuscular injection two hours before the operation; group two were injected with OTC immediately after the operation; group three received OTC spray on the wound immediately after the procedure; and group four animals were left untreated to serve as the control group. Animals were monitored for two weeks where general appearance and wound contraction was recorded. The wounds in pre-operative group healed faster (7 days), followed by topical group (10 days). Wounds in post-operative and control groups had delayed healing and showed evidence of infection. The study showed that prophylactic antibiotics administration pre-operatively minimize post-operative wound infection and promotes healing.
Surgical sterilization of the African Giant Pouched Rats
(Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2015-08-25) Werema, C. W.; Samson, R.; Ndossi, D. G.; Kashoma, I. P.; Mwakijungu, E.
Surgical sterilization of rodents is increasing as a result of increased biomedical research centers which employ rodents. In order for them to perform their duties effectively, the rodents have to be sterile to avoid interference from estrus, pregnancy and lactation. Other reasons include control of breeding, treatment of diseases or conditions such as tumors cysts, pyometra, pyometritis, and endometritis. In this study three surgical procedures were performed to African Giant Pouched Rats; 6 females were ovariectomized, 6 females were ovariohysterectomized, and 6 males were Orchidectomized. All eighteen (18) animals in the study recovered well and have returned to APOPO to continue with the training on smelling and detecting landmines and tuberculosis in human sputum samples without any difficulties. Complications from these surgical procedures are rare but comprise anesthetic overdose, dehydration, hypothermia, pulmonary hypostatic congestion, hemorrhage, eviscerations, wound dehiscence, and infections. However, many of these complications can be prevented by careful physical examination and selection of health animals fit for the intended surgical procedure, as well as adherence to all principles of surgery. This study has demonstrated the three surgical procedures for African Giant pouched rats as being useful to veterinarians in public/private practice and/or in biomedical research facilities.