<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;">The aim of this study was to determine withdrawal periods (WP) and tissue irritation after administration of three intramammary antibiotics [Curaclox LC (Norbrook (ARK AH)], Spectrazol Milking Cow (Schering-Plough AH) and Rilexine 200 LC [Logos Agvet (Virbac)] in goats with clinical mastitis.<br />Withdrawal periods in goats with clinical mastitis treated with Curaclox LC, were not significantly different from those recommended for use in cows (72 h) with (67 h) or without (48 h) the 24 h mandatory safety margin while Spectrazol caused a significantly longer withdrawal period (122 h) than that recommended for use in cattle with (60 h) and without (36 h) the 24h safety margin. The withdrawal period of clinical mastitis cases treated with Rilexine 200 LC was 48 h compared to the 96 h recommended for use in cows.<br />A linear model of regression with factors influencing the WP in goats with clinical mastitis was as follows : WP = 30.21 + 4.692 (sampling time) + 22.11 (udder pathology) - 13.6 (floccules) - 0.00649 (milk yield).<br />Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) of milk from udder halves with clinical mastitis ranged from 7 053 x 10³ to 7 948 x 10³ cells per m<em>ℓ</em> without isolations of bacteria and between 6 476 x 10³ and 8 479 x 10³ cells per m<em>ℓ</em> with isolations of bacteria. Most of the variation in SCC could not be explained and the California Milk Cell Test (CMCT) and SCC on their own were not reliable methods for mastitis diagnosis. However, CMCT and SCC were indicators of udder irritation. In goats without clinical mastitis, Spectrazol Milking Cow caused the least tissue irritation followed by Rilexine 200 LC and Curaclox LC. For goats with clinical mastitis, Rilexine 200 LC caused the least irritation, followed by Curaclox LC while Spectrazol Milking Cow caused the most irritation.</span>

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;">A cross-sectional survey of ticks infesting sheep was conducted in Sennar State, Sudan. A total body collection of ticks was carried out at five localities Sennar town, Singa, Dinder, Abu Naama and Um Banein on two types of Desert sheep (Watish and Ashgar) on two farms at each locality at two monthly intervals for one year starting July 2002 to May 2003. Four tick genera and eight species were identified. They were <em>Amblyomma lepidum, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Rhipicephalus camicasi, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus guilhoni</em> and <em>Rhipicephalus muhsamae</em>. A significant (<em>P</em> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">&lt;</span> 0.05) seasonal pattern of activity was observed for <em>A. lepidum</em> and <em>R. guilhoni</em> with peak activity occurring during rainy seasons. The highest mean number of ticks (7.26 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span> 0.58) was recorded at Abu Naama, while the lowest mean (3.61 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span> 0.31) was recorded in Sennar. Watish type sheep carried significantly (<em>P</em> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">&lt;</span> 0.05) more ticks than Ashgar type.</span>

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;">Published and personal records have been compiled into a reference list of the helminth parasites of guineafowls. Where data on other avian hosts was available these have been included for completeness' sake and to give an indication of host range. The parasite list for the Helmeted guineafowls, <em>Numida meleagris</em>, includes five species of acanthocephalans, all belonging to a single genus, three trematodes belonging to three different genera, 34 cestodes representing 15 genera, and 35 nematodes belonging to 17 genera. The list for the Crested guineafowls, <em>Guttera edouardi</em>, contains a single acanthocephalan together with 10 cestode species belonging to seven genera, and three nematode species belonging to three different genera. Records for two cestode species from genera and two nematode species belonging to a single genus have been found for the guineafowl genus <em>Acryllium</em>. Of the 70 helminths listed for <em>N. meleagris</em>, 29 have been recorded from domestic chickens.</span>

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"><em>Culicoides</em> biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are responsible for the transmission of a large number of pathogens to livestock and wild animals. In this study the presence of the genus, using light traps based at four different sites within the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, was investigated during 2002-2004. In total, 37 species were recorded, including large numbers of <em>Culicoides imicola</em> Kieffer, 1913, which is responsible for the transmission of economically important arboviruses in South Africa, Europe, Middle and Far East. These results are discussed with reference to the wider <em>Culicoides</em> fauna in the Onderstepoort area of South Africa, their vector competence as well as biosecurity at the National Zoological Gardens.</span>