DISEASE CONDITIONS OF CAMELS IN NON- TRADITIONAL CAMEL KEEPING AREAS OF KAJIADO DISTRICT IN KENYA : A CASE STUDY

摘要

A cross sectional study was undertaken in a non-traditional camel keeping area of 3 divisions of Kajiado district in Kenya to identify the quantify camel diseases. Three hundred and forty seven camels were examined. Blood and faecal samples were collected from all the camels for laboratory examination for haemoparasites, anaemia and helminthes. Trypanosomiasis, helmithosis, abscesses, mange and tick infestation, were the most prevalent diseases. The point prevalence of Trypanosomiasis was 7.8%. The point prevalence of helminth infestations was 52.7%, with a mean egg count per gram faeces of 163.4. Tick infestations was observed in 186 (53.6%), abscesses in 38 (11%) and mange in 32 (9.2%) camels. Diarrhoea, eye infections, wounds, mastitis, fracture,carpal joint deformity and facial nerve paralysis were also observed. It was concluded that camel diseases in the study area were similar to those reported in traditional environment, but are complicated by the presence of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis. Improvement in disease surveillance, control and management by the veterinary department and farmers is recommended so as to reduce the prevalence and consequences of disease in the district for further improving camel productivity.