Your Animal Doctor

Planning to buy a cow

I am planning to buy a cow from Githunguri and rear it in Kinangop. Is the weather compatible?

Gerald

Yes it is compatible; incompatibility would usually be as a result of possible stress if weather was significantly different or if the cow had no immunity to diseases common in the new environment.

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Seeking career advice

I sat my KCSE exam last year and I’d like to study veterinary medicine and I am looking for a good college. I’ve been told by many that it’s not a good course and has no money but I have passion for it. Can I please get a vet to advise me?

Steve

Those that make it in life are those whose careers and passion meet. If you have passion for animals then pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine.

Please ignore those negative people trying to discourage you. The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine course is offered at the University of Nairobi and Egerton University.

The later also offers BSc and Diploma courses in Animal Health.

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Fish farming information

I need help and information on fish farming.

David

Please contact National Aquaculture Research Development and Training Centre (NARDTC), formerly Sagana Fish Farm on their e-mail [email protected] or their Nairobi centre on [email protected]

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Fighting coccidiosis

How do I eradicate coccidiosis in my chicken? I have tried many remedies with no success. It has become so severe to an extent in which I even see intestines coming out and eventually the chicken dies. They die one by one, not all at once. Please help.

Opondo

If indeed your chickens have coccidiosis and you have used the correct treatments, I would expect your problem to have been controlled.

The fact that you still have no success could be as a result of persistent wet litter. Coccidiosis is caused by a protozoal parasite that thrives best in a moist environment.

It’s best to keep the chicken on clean and dry litter. Wet litter is usually as a result of water spillage by the chicken while drinking.

Drinkers should have the water level at the same height as the back of the chicken to avoid the spillage. As the chicken grow, you raise the drinkers.

This also prevents the birds from defecating in the water. Prolapsed intestines (intestines coming out) do not necessarily mean the chicken have Coccidiosis.

Infestation with intestinal worms causes irritation of the intestinal mucosa that could lead to straining while passing droppings. This may result in the prolapse you see.

I suggest you deworm the birds at least once every three months with Piperin and for the coccidiosis, please use Amprocox or Intracox.

You can get the products at Avepo Investment in Siaya.

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My chicks are going blind

I am small scale chicken farmer but I am faced with a big challenge where chicks develop swellings on the eyes that eventually leads to blindness and wounds around the mouths and the eyes. This has led to massive loss of chicks.

Kiziah

Your chickens may be suffering from Fowl pox, a viral disease of poultry. The virus is highly resistant in dried scabs and under certain conditions may survive for months on contaminated premises.

Affected young birds have retarded growth while laying birds experience a drop in egg production. Some birds develop wound like lesions on the comb, around the eyes and even beak.

Birds that have oral or respiratory system infection experience difficulty in eating and breathing.

Fowl pox has no treatment; antibiotics prescribed by a qualified veterinarian can help to manage the secondary infections.

The disease can only be prevented through a wing-web vaccination.

Dr John Muchibi is a Veterinary Surgeon and the Animal Health Manager at Elgon Kenya Ltd. Reach him through 0733715102 or e-mail him through [email protected]