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Wildfires globally impact farmers, with risk expected to rise in the next thirty years. Beyond fatalities, wildfires impair the reproductive capabilities of surviving livestock due to smoke exposure. Effective interventions require considering animal welfare, prognosis, and costs. Enhanced clinical assessment is crucial. There is a paucity of data concerning decision-making processes regarding burn injuries in livestock. This study establishes evidence-based guidelines for wildfire-affected ruminants in field settings. The goal is categorizing scientific evidence to create prognostic guidelines. English and Spanish publications from Web of Science, Medline, and Google Scholar were searched using keywords related to burn injuries, disaster management, and animal welfare. A research matrix was populated based on inclusion criteria and evidence strength, leading to the development of visual triage guidelines for sheep and cattle. Most evidence comprises case reports (expert opinion) and observational trials. Ovine controlled trials in the 80 s and 90 s significantly advanced burn injury understanding in humans and animals. Key clinical factors determining burn severity include burn extent and depth, anatomic location, and smoke inhalation. Core non-clinical factors implicated in decision-making include feed, water, and shelter, amongst others. Animal categorization by burn severity creates a model for prioritising resources towards animals with the best recovery chances, protecting animal welfare.

Although nasal masses are uncommon in sheep and may have several causes, including neoplasia and bacterial, fungal and viral infections, these lesions may lead to economic losses resulting from weight loss and even death. It is therefore important to differentiate between various categories of upper respiratory tract obstructions and lower respiratory tract infections. The correct aetiological diagnosis of obstructive masses is essential for appropriate treatment and management to be given or action to be taken. The presentation, clinical signs, treatment and pathology of a case of suspected mycotic rhinitis in a 6-year-old Mutton Merino ewe, are described.

Although nasal masses are uncommon in sheep and may have several causes, including neoplasia and bacterial, fungal and viral infections, these lesions may lead to economic losses resulting from weight loss and even death. It is therefore important to differentiate between various categories of upper respiratory tract obstructions and lower respiratory tract infections. The correct aetiological diagnosis of obstructive masses is essential for appropriate treatment and management to be given or action to be taken. The presentation, clinical signs, treatment and pathology of a case of suspected mycotic rhinitis in a 6-year-old Mutton Merino ewe, are described.

BACKGROUND : There is currently no scientific evidence regarding the current climatic or other epidemiological factors that could influence the occurrence of heartwater in South Africa. OBJECTIVES : The objective was to determine whether climatic changes or other epidemiological factors influence the occurence of heartwater in South Africa. METHOD : A survey was conducted to scrutinise these factors using both veterinarians and farmers working in known areas in which heartwater had previously been confirmed to establish the value of each of these factors. Based on the observations, meaningful tendencies were noted, and conclusions drawn. RESULTS : These include changes in the spatial distribution of heartwater in many areas, with serious expansion, in some instances, of up to 150 km. In total, 48% of veterinarians and 42% of farmers reported seeing increase in the number of farms affected by heartwater. Climate change as a causative factor indicated by observations of increased average temperatures, milder frosts, less rain and shorter rainy seasons was identified by the majority of farmers but not by as many veterinarians. Respondents in both groups considered vegetation change an important factor. Increasing number of wildlife, especially antelope, was seen as a major factor by most veterinarians and also by many farmers. Both groups identified the movement of livestock and wildlife as an increasingly important factor that should be of major concern for both industries because it leads to the avoidable spread of many diseases apart from heartwater. CONCLUSION : Movement controls should be reinstated and reinforced by vigorously enforced legislation. The role of genetically determined resistance or resilience to heartwater infection in ruminants should be investigated. Breeding better adapted animals could provide part of a sustainable approach to the disease.

BackgroundThere are challenges around the practicality of conventional standard setting methods for student assessment. Furthermore, accuracy of absolute methods of standard setting is difficult to achieve.The aim was to determine which group of judges is most accurate at establishing the minimum level required to pass questions in order to ensure an appropriate standard (cut-scores), and how the Bloom’s level of each question affected the correlation of cut-scores to student performance.MethodsThe modifications to the classical Angoff method where a group of judges convene and discuss cut-scores was that, in this study, the judges set cut-scores independently and did not receive the answers to the questions that they were assessing. Computer-based multiple choice and multiple response type questions were compiled, and allocated Bloom’s levels. Judges answered the questions, determined cut-scores and completed a questionnaire. Simple linear regression was used to determine whether number of years’ experience, proportion of time spent in small ruminant practice or specialisation in the field resulted in the most accurate comparison to student performance.ResultsIndividuals spending the greatest proportion of time in small ruminant practice demonstrated greater accuracy in determining cut-scores. The Bloom’s level assigned to each question was reflected on student performance.ConclusionThis study supports that the time spent in a particular discipline must be taken into consideration when selecting judges for establishing cut-scores, and that the cognitive level of each exam question be considered to improve accuracy.

The word “meristem” is applied to plants as a region of growth. In this study, a veterinary curriculum in small stock is assessed from a meristemic approach, as a form of biomimicry applied to education. The word meristemic is a novel portmanteau (or blended word) derived from “meristematic” (a region of actively dividing cells) and “epistemic” (relating to knowledge). A curriculum needs to allow for areas of growth and acknowledge that students cannot carry all the necessary information with them throughout their studies and future career. This means that throughout their studies, students can learn only the necessary and relevant information and can build on such knowledge depending on what fields they chose. Thus, it is important to follow an approach based on meristems to curriculum design. This will allow students opportunities to increase knowledge and practical experience in the correct sequence during the degree and then also later in the workplace. This thesis provides a method for including meristems in a curriculum and for this purpose focusses on the small ruminant modules of the BVSc degree at the University of Pretoria.Meristemic is therefore defined as allowing areas of growth specifically related to knowledge or skills. A meristemic approach is defined as an approach using meristems as a basis for growth and is referred to in this thesis as the approach used for refining curriculum design. In this study, the method for applying a meristemic approach has been set out as a guide for use in refining curriculum design.In conceptualising the meristemic approach, a number of existing curriculum design models were evaluated. The backward design was found to be the best fit for the veterinary science degree. Other models such as ADDIE are also useful in curriculum design. However, none of the models met the requirements of the researcher to be able to refine the curriculum once designed. As a curriculum is constantly reviewed to ensure that specific requirements are met, the researcher wanted to find an approach that could be used to refine a curriculum without having to completely redesign it. The meristemic approach begins with the development of the module using the backwards design of meeting day one competencies (DOCs) of a new graduate in veterinary science. Once the curriculum is in place, aspects of the ADDIE design model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation) are used to refine this curriculum. These aspects include “Analysis” of the current curriculum (Step 1), “Implementation” which is divided into two steps in the meristemic approach (Step 2 where assessment is critically evaluated to determine whether the DOCs are being met, and Step 3 to determine whether practical content can be beneficial to the student within a particular module) and “Evaluation” where the mode of delivery of content is evaluated to determine whether face-to-face, online or a blended approach is best for specific modules (Step 4). Once these steps have been followed, nodes (meristems) can be identified within the modules. These modules are then pruned back to the nodes that were identified in order to allow for growth within the module. Once this has been done, the process may be repeated at any time without having to redesign the entire curriculum and each module within the curriculum can be refined at a time that is convenient for the staff members involved in that module and not at a predetermined time as would be the case in redesigning of an entire curriculum. With each use of the meristemic approach, new nodes will be identified as new information or techniques are presented within each discipline.

Although theoretical training of veterinary students is uncomplicated even for larger groups, practical training remains a challenge. Much has been said about the value of practical training in curriculum design. Yet, the impact of practical training on theoretical knowledge needs further research. A cohort of 89 students with very limited clinical practical experience completed an assessment at the end of their theoretical training in small ruminants. The scores obtained by the students were compared with those obtained by a group of 35 veterinarians who volunteered to participate in the study. In addition to comparing the scores between students and practitioners, the cognitive level of each of the questions was considered. Overall, veterinarians achieved higher test scores than did the students. The veterinarians outperformed the students in all cognitive levels except for ‘applying’ type questions where there was no difference. Different levels of experience, namely young veterinarians (n = 11), established veterinarians (n = 13) and veterinarians approaching retirement (n = 11), were evaluated against the revised Bloom’s cognitive levels. When modelling congress attendance frequency, years’ experience, proportion of time spent with ruminants and revised Bloom’s levels, congress attendance was not a significant variable, and thus, only the other three variables remained. This investigation found that practical experience has a positive effect on theoretical knowledge. The type of practical experience and where such practical experience is included in a curriculum need further research. Working for a number of years in a specific discipline will provide the best support for theoretical knowledge.

A questionnaire of 15 questions was completed by four categories of respondents with the aim of establishing the experience and opinions of these groups on the constraints including animal health problems for communal, small-scale sheep and goat farming in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The questionnaires were completed independently and categories were representative of the areas investigated. Analysis of responses was done by means, ranges, votes and clusters of responses. Comparisons between the responses of the four categories were made to identify similarities or contrasts. The results revealed that of non-veterinary concerns, stock theft was the major problem for these farms. Nutrition was a further major constraint. A third area of significant concern was the provision or availability of facilities like fences, water troughs, dips and sheds. Lack of marketing and business skills were also seen as important deficiencies to be rectified so as to promote profitable farming. Of the most important veterinary problems identified, the provision, availability, cost and care of drugs and vaccines were seen as major stumbling blocks to effective disease control, as well as lack of access to veterinary services. The most important diseases that constrain small-ruminant livestock farming in the farming systems investigated were sheep scab and other ectoparasites, heart water, enterotoxaemia, internal parasites and bluetongue. A lack of knowledge in key areas of small-stock farming was revealed and should be rectified by an effective training and support programme to improve the contribution of small-ruminant farming to livelihoods in these communities.

A questionnaire of 15 questions was completed by four categories of respondents with the aim of establishing the experience and opinions of these groups on the constraints including animal health problems for communal, small-scale sheep and goat farming in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The questionnaires were completed independently and categories were representative of the areas investigated. Analysis of responses was done by means, ranges, votes and clusters of responses. Comparisons between the responses of the four categories were made to identify similarities or contrasts. The results revealed that of non-veterinary concerns, stock theft was the major problem for these farms. Nutrition was a further major constraint. A third area of significant concern was the provision or availability of facilities like fences, water troughs, dips and sheds. Lack of marketing and business skills were also seen as important deficiencies to be rectified so as to promote profitable farming. Of the most important veterinary problems identified, the provision, availability, cost and care of drugs and vaccines were seen as major stumbling blocks to effective disease control, as well as lack of access to veterinary services. The most important diseases that constrain small-ruminant livestock farming in the farming systems investigated were sheep scab and other ectoparasites, heart water, enterotoxaemia, internal parasites and bluetongue. A lack of knowledge in key areas of small-stock farming was revealed and should be rectified by an effective training and support programme to improve the contribution of small-ruminant farming to livelihoods in these communities.

During a routine flock visit, a farmer observed that one of the eight tooth Bapedi rams had been losing body condition despite being separated from the flock and fed supplementary feed. The ram's body condition score was assessed as 2 out of 5 (one point less than the average of the rest of the rams) and the teeth appeared normal with no excessive wear. The rumen was assessed by auscultation, palpation and ballottement where a foreign body (approximately 20 cm x 5 cm - 10 cm) was clearly palpated and ballotted. A rumenotomy was performed and a large mass of tightly compacted foreign matter and plant material was removed. The mass consisted of synthetic fibre, plant material and calcium phosphate (50.5%). It appeared to have formed as the result of the ingestion of a synthetic fibre which formed the nidus of a concretion. This was probably the result of deficient nutrition, with the rams eating the synthetic fibre in an attempt to increase feed intake. The ram recovered uneventfully after the rumenotomy was performed and supplementary feeding.