Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing bushbabies (Mammalia: Galagidae) in a biodiversity hotspot of northern South Africa.

South Africa has six species of primates, three of which are bushbabies (family Galagidae). Very little information is available on their parasites due to the lack of longitudinal studies, although Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Amblyomma hebraeum and Haemaphysalis elliptica were previously reported from the brown greater galago (Otolemur crassicaudatus) in South Africa. During 2014-2019, 83 O. crassicaudatus (70 live-trapped and 13 deceased animals) were checked for the presence of hard ticks, all from Limpopo Province, South Africa. Seventy-three of 83 (88 %) galagos were found to be tick-infested. Among ixodid genera, Haemaphysalis had the highest prevalence (46 % of the bushbabies), followed by Rhipicephalus (25 %) and Ixodes (18 %). In total, ten tick species were identified. Importantly, all infestations were monospecific. Ticks occurred on various body parts of bushbabies, thus no predilection site was noted. In conclusion, while previously only three ixodid species were known to infest bushbabies in South Africa, the present study showed that these animals can be parasitized by a much broader range of hard ticks.

Cardiopulmonary effects of anaesthesia maintained by propofol infusion versus isoflurane inhalation in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus).

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cardiopulmonary effects of propofol total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with isoflurane in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) to evaluate feasibility for field use. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: A group of 24 adult cheetahs, 12 per group. METHODS: Cheetahs were immobilized with zolazepam/tiletamine (1.2 mg kg-1) and medetomidine [40 µg kg-1, both intramuscular (IM)] by darting. A maintenance protocol of propofol TIVA (group P) or isoflurane inhalation (group I) was assigned randomly to each cheetah. Anaesthesia was maintained for at least 60 minutes. Cheetahs breathed spontaneously throughout; oxygen was supplemented at 3 L minute-1. Cardiopulmonary parameters were recorded at 5 minute intervals and three arterial blood gas samples were analysed. Following maintenance, atipamezole was administered IM (200 µg kg-1) and recovery was observed. Data are reported as mean±standard deviation; variables over time were compared using a linear mixed model (fixed: time, treatment; random: cheetah). RESULTS: Lack of response to manipulations was maintained in all cases (end-tidal isoflurane percentage 1.1±0.1%, propofol rate maintained at 0.1 mg kg-1 minute-1). The heart and respiratory rates were acceptable throughout maintenance. The end-tidal carbon dioxide tension increased slowly [44.0±5.0 mmHg (5.87±0.67 kPa)] with no differences between groups. All cheetahs were initially markedly hypertensive [mean arterial blood pressure (MAP): (163±17 mmHg)]. The MAP normalized for group I (125±30 mmHg) but remained high for group P (161±17 mmHg) (p < 0.001). Arterial carbon dioxide tension [48.9±14.6 mmHg (6.52±1.95 kPa)] never differed between groups. Initial arterial oxygen tension indicated borderline hypoxaemia, but improved with oxygen supplementation. Recovery time was 10.8±5.0 and 51.9±23.5 minutes for group I and group P, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both protocols provided acceptable cardiopulmonary values. Propofol may be an alternative to isoflurane for field use, but the prolonged recovery may make it less suitable for long-term anaesthesia.