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Despite the recognised need for education and training in laboratory animal science (LAS) and ethics in Africa, access to such opportunities has historically been limited. To address this, the Pan-African Network for Laboratory Animal Science and Ethics (PAN-LASE) was established to pioneer a support network for the development of education and training in LAS and ethics across the African continent. In the 4.5 years since the establishment of PAN-LASE, 3635 individuals from 28 African countries have participated in our educational activities. Returning to their home institutions, they have both established and strengthened institutional and regional hubs of knowledge and competence across the continent. Additionally, PAN-LASE supported the development of guidelines for establishment of institutional Animal Ethics Committees, a critical step in the implementation of ethical review processes across the continent, and in enhancing animal welfare and scientific research standards. Key challenges and opportunities for PAN-LASE going forward include the formalisation of the network; the sustainability of education and training programmes; implementation of effective hub-and-spoke models of educational provision; strengthening governance frameworks at institutional, national and regional levels; and the availability of Africa-centric open access educational resources. Our activities are enhancing animal welfare and the quality of animal research undertaken across Africa, enabling African researchers to undertake world-leading research to offer solutions to the challenges facing the continent. The challenges, successes and the lessons learnt from PAN-LASE’s journey are applicable to other low- and middle-income countries across the world seeking to enhance animal welfare, research ethics and ethical review in their own country or region.

The ARRIVE Guidelines 2.0 for the publishing of animal experiments have been adhered to report the results of our study. Supported by many reputable journals, the guidelines are intended to improve and strengthen the quality of animal experiment reporting.

A cross sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of lameness and determine the risk factors for its occurrence in three commercial pig farms in and around Harare. During routine health checks, the sows were examined for lameness and foot lesions present recorded. Culling records from 2005 to 2007 were viewed and the reason for culling recorded. Prevalence for lameness ranged from 0.26% to 17.14% with sows in parities four and five having higher occurrence of lameness (P value = 0.001). Sows with hoof cracks, dew claw damage, foot rot and soft tissue injury were more predisposed to lameness compared to those without the lesions (OR 7.7 - 15.4). From this study it was concluded that management factors such as type of flooring, resulted in higher prevalence of lameness by increasing the frequency for the occurrence of risk factors.Keywords: Lameness, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Pigs

The emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in animal health that may affect humans directly or transfer resistant genes to human pathogens is a cause for major concern. As a result both the human and veterinary use of antimicrobials has come under increased scrutiny. The aim of this research project was to characterise antimicrobial usage patterns in dogs and cats in South Africa and to confirm whether South African veterinarians treating companion animals were making use of the proper selection guidelines in optimizing their antimicrobial use. To meet this objective, a survey was undertaken through an online questionnaire sent to 2880 registered South African veterinarians. The questionnaire covered general use principles; scope of extra-label use of antimicrobials; Section 21 applications for unregistered antimicrobials; use of antibiograms; adverse drug reactions; owner compliance; disposal of expired stock and length of use of multi-dose vials. Questionnaires were completed by 181 veterinarians representing a response of 16% from the 1120 small animal veterinarians to which the questionnaire was sent. Use of antimicrobials without laboratory diagnosis, off label prescriptions and compounding of antimicrobials by small animal veterinarians in South Africa was reported. When presented with first time cases, 91.16% (n=165) of the respondents selected their antimicrobial empirically before undertaking laboratory testing. Antimicrobial compounding was practiced by 13.26% (n=24) of the respondents, with the following preparations being compounded; enrofloxacin (baytril) + saline + silver sulfadiazine (flamazine); gentamicin + dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); enrofloxacin + DMSO; enrofloxacin (baytril) + ear preparations. A high proportion of respondents also used antimicrobials off label (86.19%; n=156). All the major classes of antimicrobials were in use by small animal veterinarians. This descriptive study is an important first stage in investigating small animal antimicrobial usage patterns in South Africa. The descriptive information gained from this study will play a major role in the development of appropriate hypotheses that can be tested in future studies linked with the emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. It is also envisaged that this project will help in the review of antimicrobial prudent usage guidelines and facilitate better veterinary antimicrobial stewardship.