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P S Pretorius

Publications and source records attributed to P S Pretorius.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

[The relationship between farming management practices and the incidence of wet carcass syndrome in sheep].

Farmers who regularly experience wet carcass syndrome tend to farm on a more extensive scale and apply insufficient management practices evidenced by poor recordkeeping, lower sheep handling frequency and inefficient grazing management. Overgrazing and deterioration of natural pastures are aggravated by drought conditions. Feeding of supplements or the provision of a salt lick is unrelated to wet carcass syndrome. Nor can any connection between transport to and distance from the abattoir, type of feeding in the holding pens, withholding of drinking and overhydration before slaughter to the incidence of wet carcass syndrome be demonstrated. The susceptibility for the development of this condition most probably occurs while the live animal is still on the farm.

Animal Feed↗

[Wet carcass syndrome in sheep: incidence and geographic distribution].

A map showing the prevalence and geographical distribution of the wet carcass syndrome in sheep is presented. Although isolated cases of this syndrome are sporadically reported throughout all the sheep-producing areas of the country, the incidence of this phenomenon is epidemic in the districts of Gordonia, Kuruman, Postmasburg, Hay and Prieska. Some areas within a certain district tend to have a higher prevalence of wet carcasses especially those round the Orange, Kuruman and Molopo rivers. Vegetation type may be involved in the development of this condition in the live animal and should be investigated.

Abattoirs↗

Vaginal cytological changes in the cycling and anoestrous Angora goat doe.

The general smear pattern in the oestrous doe was characterised by a copious flow of thin clear mucus which formed distinct fernlike crystallisation patterns. Following ovulation the cervical secretion became a thick white cheesy mass containing large numbers of cellular elements and debris. The luteal period, as well as anoestrus was marked by a scant serous secretion which formed no crystallisation patterns. Leukocytes occurred in varying quantities throughout the cycle. Desquamation of the vaginal epithelium reached a high level during late oestrus when large numbers of cornified cells occurred in the smear. It is concluded that the cytological changes in the vaginal epithelium of the Angora doe appeared to be influenced by cyclical ovarian activity and could be used to assess ovarian oestrogenic activity.

Anestrus↗