PREVALENCE, TREATMENT OPTIONS AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH RABBIT MANGE IN CENTRAL KENYA A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for Masters of Science degree of the University of Nairobi (Applied Veterinary Parasitology) Dr. Joice Chebet (BVM, UoN) J56/82630/2015 University of Nairobi Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology 2020 DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been submitted for award of a degree in any other University. SIGNATURE...................................................... DATE....................... DR. JOICE CHEBET (BVM, UON) This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as University supervisors: SIGNATURE………………...........................................DATE………………………….. DR. ROBERT M. WARUIRU (PhD, MSc., BVM) Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology SIGNATURE………………………………………….DATE……………………………. PROF. PETER K. GATHUMBI (BVM, MSc., PhD, FRVCS,) Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology SIGNATURE……………………....................................DATE………………… DR. GABRIEL O. ABOGE (PhD, MSc., BVM) Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology ii DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my family. My husband Cornelius K. and my children Coryden K. and Coretta C. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First, I would like to thank God for the strength He gave me throughout my study period. Secondly, I thank my supervisors Dr. R.M. Waruiru, Prof. P.K. Gathumbi and Dr. G.O. Aboge for the excellent guidance they gave me in proposal writing, data collection, article and thesis writing. Many thanks to Dr. P.O. Okumu and Dr. K.O. Ogolla who devoted their time to support me in proposal writing, sample collection, processing and data analysis. I thank Mr. Josphat N. Gichure for his assistance during questionnaire development and administration and data analysis. Many thanks to Mr. R.O. Otieno, Ms. R.N. Gitari and Ms. E. Keya for their assistance in collection and processing of samples. I am grateful to all the rabbit farmers from Kiambu and Nyeri counties and the Department of Animal Production (UoN) for allowing me to use their rabbits. Much appreciation to livestock and veterinary officers from Kiambu and Nyeri counties who took part in this study. Dr. Maina Karina and Mr. Eustace Muriithi were very resourceful in reaching farmers in Nyeri and Kiambu counties, respectively. Much thanks goes to Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) for funding the project and University of Nairobi for providing the training infrastructure. Lastly, I thank my guardian Mr. Peter Nyigei for the support he gave me throughout my education. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................ ii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ v LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF APPENDICES ................................................................................................................ xi LIST OF ABREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ........................................................................ xii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................. xiii CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Objectives .............................................................................................................................. 2 1.1.1 General objective ............................................................................................................ 2 1.1.2 Specific objectives .......................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Hypothesis ............................................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Justification ........................................................................................................................... 3 CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................................ 5 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Rabbit industry in Kenya....................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Constraints of rabbit production in Kenya ............................................................................ 6 2.3 Diseases of rabbits ................................................................................................................. 6 2.3.1 Parasitism of rabbits ....................................................................................................... 7 2.3.1.1 Endoparasites ........................................................................................................... 7 2.3.1.2 Ectoparasites ............................................................................................................ 9 CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................................... 23 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS ............................................................................................ 23 3.1 Baseline survey ................................................................................................................... 23 3.1.1 Study area ..................................................................................................................... 23 3.1.1.1 Kiambu County ..................................................................................................... 23 3.1.1.2 Nyeri County .......................................................................................................... 23 3.1.2 Selection of study farms ............................................................................................... 25 v 3.1.3 Selection of study rabbits ............................................................................................. 25 3.1.4 Baseline survey on status of small holder production and available control strategies against rabbit mange infestation ............................................................................................ 26 3.1.5 Clinical examination of rabbits and sample collection ................................................. 26 3.1.6 Handling and transportation of collected samples ........................................................ 27 3.1.7 Sample analysis ............................................................................................................ 27 3.2 Laboratory trial .................................................................................................................... 27 3.2.1 Selection of study rabbits ............................................................................................. 27 3.2.3 Experimental rabbits ..................................................................................................... 28 3.2.4 Animal welfare........................................................................................................ 28 3.2.5 Handling and restraint of rabbits during clinical examination, weighing, administration of drugs and sample collection .............................................................................................. 29 3.2.6 Examination of rabbits for mange mites....................................................................... 29 3.2.7 Clinical examination ..................................................................................................... 29 3.2.8 Treatment protocols ...................................................................................................... 30 3.3 Field trial ............................................................................................................................. 30 3.3.1 Study farms ................................................................................................................... 30 3.3.2 Experimental rabbits ..................................................................................................... 31 3.3.3 Clinical examination of experimental rabbits ............................................................... 31 3.3.4 Parasitological examination of samples ....................................................................... 31 3.3.5 Treatment protocols ...................................................................................................... 31 3.4 Data management