Sleeping Sickness

Introduction.

Here in Western Brazil we use mobile ‘phones a lot for the free mobile texting service available. Using this software, our professors can send photographs to us. This week we students received a photo of a distinct, elongated little cell moving between lots of other little cells in the blood of a cow. I was pleased because I recognised it straight away as Trypanosoma vivax. It took me back to my adolescence. Why should it do that? In my teens I enjoyed watching the zoovet Dr David Taylor on children’s TV like ‘Number 73’. The BBC made a series about him called ‘One-By-One’, and I watched every episode. He then published a series of books and in one of them he vividly describes seeing the protozoan Trypanosoma vivax in a blood smear he had collected.

 

 Photo showing the protozoan Trypanosoma vivax swimming in a cow’s blood stream. The other cells are haematocytes – the cells that gives blood its red colour. Photo credit: Professor Wendell Marcelo de Souza Perinotto

Trypanossoma spp' Distribution.

It occurs worldwide. There are different species. It is spread by biting flies. If you are reading this and have studied animal science, you may have read that it is spread by the Tsetse Fly. Well, that is the case in Africa. Here in South America it is spread by other biting flies, because we don’t get tsetse here. The fly could be Tabanus spp or Dermatobius spp But the biomechanics of spread still works according to the same principle. The protozoan is acquired when the fly bites ad feeds upon an infected animal, ingesting it.  The protozoan is in the fly’s mouthparts (where it has changed shape), the fly bites the new host and the pest within the pest is spread.   .

Effects on Victim

It depends upon the victim, and veterinarians think in terms of

·         ruminants, that is, animals that chew the cud and are cloven-hooved

·         horses

·         pigs

·         and family pets.

If, like me, the reason you got into veterinary medicine in the first place is because you find wildlife and wild animal casualties fascinating and a privilege to work with, then it will be of interest when you read in the literature that Trypanosomosis is primarily a disease of wildlife. To find out more you would have to go to some very specialised books or scientific, peer-reviewed papers. The Nine-Banded Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus and Common Opossum Didelphis virginianus can act as hosts.

Conclusion

The disease is a public health issue because it is communicable to man, but that is really a matter for another article. It also render vast swathes of Africa useless for agriculture. For us veterinary students, the protozoan’s presence in the blood sample triggered a practical class on how to prepare blood smears,and then a return visit to the farm to take more blood samples from 20 more cattle.

 

The first of 20 Friesian cattle being brought in for further testing for Trypanosomosis. Photo: John Beaumont

Veterinary student secures cow with cord. Note use of latex glove. I have taken to carrying both horseriding gloves and latex ones with me in my pockets, the riding gloves for the physical restraint ropework and then switching to the latex gloves for veterinary tasks. Photo: John Beaumont

 

 

So when you consider the effort and time involved resulting from that one photograph, Trypanosomiasis is clearly a serious issue in veterinary medicine, requiring collaboration between veterinarians and wildlife biologists.

Starting Farming

Gir cow's ear, one of the breed's distinguishing features.
 

Introduction

I went on two interesting farm visits as part of the final year of my veterinary degree recently. On both I learned at first hand the effectiveness of phyical restraint of cattle. Of course, we have all seen pictures of bulls being lead around state and county agricultural shows by their nose rings.  Looks a bit unsavoury, doesn't it? But while significant numbers of people eat beef and dairy products, there will be cattle farming.

Starting Farming

I have often wondered what proportion of people are born into farming and what proportion buy a farm and wish to make it a going concern with no prior experience.  My father bought a smallholding a few years ago. And last week we visited a farmer who was just starting out with a family farm that he had bought. We as students were called on a consultancy to come up with suggestions on how to make the farm work. There are many factors to take into account, including

• property size
• topography and drainage
• breed of cattle
• market for product
• farming method (confinement or beast at pasture)
• genetic quality of herd.

Gir cow in Brazil being restrained, using bull lead, for veterinary attention - ear washings for parasite analysis, specifically the parasite Rhabtidis bovis.
 

There are many breeds of cattle that can be farmed in Brazil, some of which are dual purpose, and many of which are derived from the Indian Bos indicus and some from the European Bos taurus.  In Mato Grosso State, where I currently live, it is very hot, and the zebu cattle that abound are descended from the Indian breeds. There are several kinds of zebu, and two weeks ago we worked with the huge Girolandia cattle. That's where I first got to grips with some huge beasts whilst my classmates did some blood sampling and checking for parasites.

Physical restraint

I have learned also the importance of understanding humane methods of physical restraint. I feel a chronic need to get this right, because very often instructions are shouted to me in Portuguese and although I have an excellent working knowledge of the language it is still sometimes hard to understand, which can be potentially dangerous when handling a ton of honest-to-goodness Brazilian bull!

Physical restraint of a Gir cow on a Brazilian beef farm. In the UK you would be advised to use a bull lead.
 

Brazilian Law for Gun Enthusiasts

Introduction

First of all let me begin by saying I am not a lawyer. What follows is the result of research and asking questions of law enforcement professionals and gunsmiths.  I have been making these consultations from the point of view of someone who wants to remain within the law.

The Law

As far as I can ascertain, if you want to buy a gun in Brazil, the only category that is hassle-free is an airgun. I found a shop in Cuiabá that offers a range of air guns and accessories. The purchase was trouble-free, and if I wish to transport it anywhere all I need to take with me is the receipt. The assiatant could not have been more helpful in helping me to test the gun first. My final choice was based upon what was in stock, price and ability to do the specific function I was buying the gun for. Aesthetics came into it, too. I wanted a gun I could show off with pride. I grew up in a rural community and shooting was important to the young me.

How to Assess a Gun

During my researches I found out that one of the most importante factors to consider is at what velocity the projectile leaves the barrel. This is based on feet per second - fps.

It's also unlikely to be useful using the sight settings established in-store. You will have to realign the sights to suit your eye.  So when I left the shop it took me a hundred shots or so to get the sights set for me. And a thousand shots to break the gun in. I was shooting in a controlled environment at a range of 25 metres, in my back garden, with no wind speed.

What to Put in a Range Bag.

I was able to download some paper targets from the internet and then I came across the idea of range bags, an idea that was new to me. Thus arose the question of "what is a range bag and what goes in one". It's the bag of shooting accessories you take down to the shooting range with you. Mine contains torch, pellets, adhesive tape, pen, folded paper targets, gun case key and WD40.

There are things I haven't covered here such as gun care and breaking in your gun. But what I wanted to do was bring together a few key concepts that I had to search around for in order to get the answers I needed on-line.  I hope you have found this interesting.

How to Hold a Bird of Prey for Non-Falconers.

Introduction

For the day-to-day handling of a hawk that, due to local circumstances, is being kept in an unsuitably small cage and needs to be handled regularly just so that the cage can be cleaned, here is some information to help the handler (veterinary nurse in a developing country).  You don’t need a glove.  You need a big piece of thick cloth. Put one hand under the cloth and open the door of the cage with the other hand. Note we are talking about small hawks here. Specifically, American Kestrels and Roadside Hawks that weigh in the region of 70 to 300 grammes. If the hawk is on a small perch, she will be easier to handle, being reluctant to leave the perch. If she is on bare substrate in the cage, she will be harder to handle.  Note, these are far from ideal conditions but do happen.

With a Cloth

Hawks are visual animals, so you should try to cover the hawk’s head so that it cannot see you or anything else.  I advise people to open the cage door and throw a cloth genty over the hawk. It will grapple with the cloth and you need to grab it as gently yet as firmly as possible. Secure the bird by putting both hands around it and pinning its wings comfortably into their natural positions by the hawk’s sides. Lift the bird out of the cage to the side of your body – just above your hip. Then manoeuvre your hands such that you are able to put an index finger between the legs (tarsi) , with your middle finger on the outside of the outer leg and your thumb on the outside of the other leg. You should aim to keep the bird’s head covered at all times during such handling. That way it will keep calm.

Falconer’s Methods.

This is really the bare minimum.  You can facilitate handling by using falconers’ methods to make and attach anklets and hunting jesses to the bird’s legs.   But this article is meant for people who have no interest or do not yet need to employ falconers’ methods.

Any doubts, post them below and I will be pleased to try and help.

Treatment of American Kestrel/Falcão Quiriquiri/Falco sparverius

Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State, Central Western Brazil

INTRODUCTION

If I had a coin for every time I had to explain the differences between hawks and falcons I would be a millionaire. If I could find somebody willing to listen to, and implement, improvements that I could suggest for raising the standards of health care of the wildlife casualties that I see locally, then for each suggestion heeded I got a pound I would be a billionaire.

Maybe it’s the heat. Or the fact that I am still an undergraduate and feel reluctant to say exactly what I think to certain staff I don’t know very well here at the veterinary hospital. As a mature student, experience has taught me to err upon the side of caution, something I like to call social intelligence.  I get the impression that that at this particular stage of my course free speech has been curtailed. No; if I truly thought I would be listened to I would speak my mind. Instead I have decided it would be better to save my energy and my breath.

But let’s think about this for a minute, just you and I. My approach of the type ‘slowly, slowly, catch a monkey’. There are some things I can’t improve for these wildlife casualties.

FACILITIES

 The facilties is one. I had thought it was world-wide common knowledge as set out by every animal charity from here to Timbuktu that minimal cage sizes for birds should permit them to spread their wings. Anything smaller is too cramped. We had an American Kestrel brought in this week. The cage it is in might just be adequate for its wing span. For the purposes of comparison the Roadside Hawks that are brought in on a regular basis have a wing span that is too long.  They are unable to spread their wings. Easily solved by relocating them to what I call the ‘Small-Eared Dog Block’.  More than adequate space there, but removable, artificial-turf-covered perches would have to be put there as otherwise the patients would be forced to use the concrete floor as a perch. Not good as it could bring on pododermatitus – bumblefoot.

THE LITERATURE

As undergraduates of veterinary medicine we are constantly told that we have an obligation to study. I can safely say that I have studied the subject of today’s blog, the American Kestrel Falco.  Suitable sources of information for you if you are new to American Kestrels.

FOR AMERICAN KESTRELS AS WORKING FALCONRY BIRDS

v  Mullenix, M. 2002. American Kestrels in Modern Falconry. Western Sporting, Ranchester, Wyoming.  

By using this book I had a lot of fun with applying falconry techniques to training a brood of American Kestrels that the Brazilian authorities left with me. In fact, it was the first time I had the opportunity to use falconers’, instead of austringers’, techniques, on one of my projects here in Brazil. For the reader that doesn’t know, people who train falcons are falconers. Those who train hawks and eagles are austringers.

FOR AMERICAN KESTREL ECOLOGY AND IDENTIFICATION

v  Ferguson-Lees, J, Christie, D A, Franklin K, Mead D and Burton P. 2001. Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm London.

I remember my Dad buying this for me at a National Trust property and being angry because he had not been able to arrange discount due to a defaced cover for me.  

BOOKS ON VETERINARY ASPECTS, AND THEIR MANAGEMENT IN CAPTIVITY AND IN THE WILD.

Bird, D M, Bildstein, K L, Barber D R and Zimmerman A. 2007. Raptor Research and Management Techniques. Hancock House Publishers, BC, Canada.

Cooper, J E. 2002. Birds of Prey: Health and Disease. Third edition. Blackwell publishing, Oxford, UK.  


HANDLING

One of the funnier things I see is a result of people not knowing what an American Kestrel is capable of. The handlers here see them in their little cages and immediately feel the need to reach for some leather gauntlet more suíted to handling a Harpy Eagle than a 70g falcon. All you need is a cloth to throw over the head so that it cannot see anything and then it will calm down.

USE IN FALCONRY

Featured in the photo are American-Kestrel-size home-made anklets, swivels and mews jesses. The book listed explains in excellent detail the role this lovely little falcon can play in falconry, but I cannot see it providing much game for the pot, somehow.  Still, I had tremendous fun flying the chicks the Brazilian authorities passed to me.

CONCLUSION

The American Kestrel is a beautiful bird and a pleasure to be around.  Note that it can be identified by its twin black stripes on the side of the head.  I look forward to working with the one that has been brought in to our hospital.  I see my role as one of learning about the clinical and surgical side of avian medicine as it relates to wild birds and raptor casualties in particular. And if I can apply falconry techiques to speeding along the recovery of this species post-treatment at every opportunity I get, I will be a happy man.

South America – Raptor Continent

For over twenty years I have studied birds of prey, or raptors, from many different approaches, and finally I get to study them from a veterinary point of view. I am on my final, clinical year of a degree in veterinary medicine and we get a lot of Roadside Hawks here at the veterinary hospital where I study.

When I was 17 I took my Muddy Fox mountain bicycle from its place in my father’s toolshed, a shed that was also home to my colony of pet mice and Border Collie, Jess. A few days previously I had seen a nest in a mature larch tree and wondered if it belonged to one of the many resident pairs of Common Buzzards that occupied the valley, as opposed to being a corvid nest. I rode five miles down the valley-side on to the Mold-to-Denbigh road and from the village of Afonwen up the other side of the same valley. 25 years later I can still remember how easy it was to climb that tree. I think I was probably dressed in camouflage gear and Brasher boots. It would have been a weekend or school holiday.  I am amazed that I did not get stopped on suspicion of being an oologist, an egg collector - illegal in my time, but not when my brother was a youth.  He had a moderate egg collection, the result of a brief fad that he soon forgot.  

It was late adolescence when my nature interests changed from spiders to birds in general and then quickly to birds of prey, or raptors. This is probably because they were so visible where I grew up.  Common Buzzards, Eurasian Kestrels, Peregrine Falcons and Little Owls I saw on a regular basis. Then I started to travel overseas and my raptor list grew to include such rarities as the Mauritius kestrel. At this time I was immersed in raptor study.  I knew where there were courses in Raptor Biology, I owned important books on raptors, I knew where the best courses were for falconry and went on to do a couple of courses.  I knew who the major raptor biologists were and followed their work keenly.

Then I settled in South America, a continent perhaps better known as the Raptor Continent. Roadside hawks are ubiquitous in South America. They are a wonderful little hawk. From an ecological point of view they are generalists in terms of dietary preference, not specialists. This means they will prey upon anything they can capture. Their diet therefore includes insects and small lizards. If you take them in hand, to use falconers’ vocabulary, you will see that they have small talons. Did you know that a raptor’s rear talon is called the hallux?

In Cuiaba in Brazil they are the commonest raptor brought into the veterinary hospital. The vast majority of patients are trauma victims, and most of them have broken wings. The surgeons here use external fibreglass wing fixators to treat such injuries. Ideally recovering birds should be put into large cages or aviaries. I always have a hankering to do high jumps using washed meat with these birds. In order to help them rebuild muscle mass prior to release. This is not always possible due to time constraints.